Thousands protest against austerity ahead of Irish vote

Thousands marched through Dublin on Saturday to call for an end to austerity, as Ireland prepares to vote in parliamentary elections.

The "Right2Change" protest brought together a range of anti-austerity groups under the banner of opposing controversial water charges, which have crystallised anger at a rise in poverty, budget cuts and tax hikes since an economic crisis and bailout in 2010.

Protesters carried colourful flags and banners reading "Can't Pay Won't Pay" and "Water is a Human Right", and chanted: "Banks Got Bailed Out, We Got Sold Out".

"We are fighting to end to the austerity that has crippled people in this country. Water was the straw that broke the camel's back," said June Markham, a retiree from Dublin.

"We might not get the exact government we want this time but by God we're on our way to doing it."

Organisers said the protest was for an Ireland "not based on cronyism, corruption or greed, but instead one based on equality, democracy and social justice".

Polls ahead of the election on February 26 show Ireland may be the latest eurozone country to face political uncertainty as prime minister Enda Kenny and his current coalition government could struggle to form a majority for a second term.

The march was also supported by left-leaning republican party Sinn Fein, which has boosted its support with an anti-austerity stance, and leader Gerry Adams joined the crowds to address a rally.

The water charges issue has galvanised opposition to austerity after the government began charging households for water, rather than financing provision through general taxation as had been done previously. Opponents see the move as a step towards privatisation.

Ireland goes to the polls on Friday with the outgoing coalition of Fine Gael and Labour seeking a second term on a platform of keeping the economy steady.

The eurozone nation has the highest economic growth rate in the European Union -- 7.0 percent in the first nine months of last year -- but many voters say they are not feeling the benefit and are disillusioned after years of sacrifices and a financial crisis that has discredited Ireland's elite.