Thousands of demonstrators have walked through Dublin City centre in support of same-sex marriage.

The Government is due hold a referendum on marriage equality in the first half of 2015.

However, the proposal has encountered strenuous opposition from groups including the Catholic IONA Institute.

The Institute says that 'the rights of gay people can easily be secured without changing the definition of marriage'.

Today's annual 'March for Marriage' culminated outside the Department of Justice where a number of speakers took to the stage.