Large crowds gather at TUS in Athlone for major Mercosur protest

Hundreds of tractors and trucks converged on Athlone today as part of a major national protest against Mercosur.

Farmers gathered at the TUS international arena throughout the morning ahead of speeches this afternoon from a variety of farm leaders and organisers from Independent Ireland.

The tractors gathered on the N61 Roscommon Road outside Athlone from early morning with long tailbacks reported on that road from 10am.

The cavalcade then proceeded along the Athlone bypass before leaving at Junction 10 and heading to TUS via the Ballymahon Road and Cornamaddy.

The first tractors arrived in Garrycastle shortly after 11am, with hundreds more taking part in the protest which continued for well over an hour.

Independent Ireland leader Michael Collins, MEP Ciaran Mullooly and TD Michael Fitzmaurice all addressed the media briefly in advance of speeches.

Attendees packed the international arena while more gathered outside.

Initial estimates indicate that over 5,000 people are in attendance.