Thousands of people have turned out for a rally against recent gang-related violence in Drogheda today.
Local residents said the "violence stops now" as politicians took time out from election canvassing to attend the march.
One local mother, speaking to the crowds outside St Peter's Church, said she initially had been afraid to address attendees but that she wasn't afraid anymore.
She was one of the thousands who attended a march from the Bridge of Peace to the church on West Street.
One man said it was a "great turnout" and that it was "great to see the town all standing together, we've had enough".
Another woman said: "I feel very proud of our town and I'd like to think this is the beginning of the end of the brutality that has been carrying out in this town."
Large crowds gather outside St Peter’s Chruch for the #StandingTogether rally in Drogheda pic.twitter.com/NjPtIc7eOM
— Andrew Lowth (@AndrewLowth1) January 25, 2020
The Taoiseach and the leaders of Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin, Labour and Aontú were among those who attended the rally.
The Mayor of Drogheda, Paul Bell, had this statement for the gangs in Drogheda: "The message to those involved in the violent feud which has escalated beyond the threshold of decency is that there is no place for you to live amongst us and you must go and you must go now."
People who work with youth and addiction services were also among those who gave speeches following the short march.
One of the messages to politicians was to increase funding for resources.
Reporting by Andrew Lowth in Drogheda
