Sixteen people have been arrested at anti-lockdown protests in Dublin for failing to comply with public health guidelines, gardai said.

A massive Garda security operation is under way to prevent planned lockdown protests to mark St Patrick’s Day in Ireland.

By 3pm, gardai said 13 men and three women had been arrested in connection with the events in the capital and failure to follow Covid-19 public health regulations. Ten people have been charged and were due to appear before a sitting of Dublin District Court on Wednesday afternoon.

Many of the arrested were in Dublin city centre where protesters arrived in small groups outside the GPO on O’Connell Street. About 100 anti-lockdown and anti-vaccination protesters, the majority of whom were not wearing face masks, gathered in Herbert Park in Ballsbridge carrying banners and posters.

Campaigners also congregated outside national broadcaster RTE in Donnybrook in the south of the city chanting and carrying anti-vaccine posters.

Here is what our readers had to say: Leslie Fuller said: "The law is there for a reason, if you break the law you have to face the consequences. The majority of people have been law abiding through this pandemic, but far too many haven't.

"All the illegal mass gatherings and parties must have had some baring on the spread of virus.

"I have no sympathy for those people. And that lot carrying on in London is an absolute disgrace.

"Showed no respect to the family or the families wishes.

"It was an excuse to have a go at the police and politicians. Those who are the ringleaders must be brought before the courts and sent to prison. Be kind is the in the word's, so they could do exactly what they want is it what it means."

Nona Eastwood said: "Good job guys in blue. Fully support you. Hope they get a big fine."

Keith Richardson said: "And you thought George Orwell was writing sci-fi. Plandemic the great reset."