Gardai were called this evening after water charges protesters forced their way into a meeting of Cork City Council.

It followed an attempt by Anti Austerity Alliance Cllr Mick Barry to get a motion on the jailing of five water campaigners in Dublin discussed at the start of the council meeting.

More than a dozen protesters pushed their way in to the council chamber and were cheered on by up to 70 supporters in the public gallery.

The meeting was suspended, and the gardai were called.

Fine Gael Councillor John Buttimer says the protesters ultimately stopped their own motion.

“The ironic thing is there was agreement to allow the motion to take place tonight," he said.

“There was a bit of discussion was going to be had on (when) that motion would be taken - whether it would be at the start or at the end of the meeting.

“In my view the protesters did themselves a disservice. The council were in agreement that the motion would be taken and we were only debating when we would actually discuss it,” Mr Buttimer added.

Video credit: Eoin English

Originally published 19.15