VIDEO: Strong Mayo presence at students' march in Dublin

THOUSANDS of third level of students, including a strong representation from the Mayo GMIT Campus in Castlebar, marched through Dublin this afternoon to urge the government not to impose a student loans scheme.

The huge number of students surpassed the expectations of student leaders who had estimated only 5,000 marchers would be present. Gardaí said the numbers were considerably higher.

It took more than half an hour for students walking 10 abreast to pass the Spire in O'Connell Street on their way from Parnell Square to the Department of the Taoiseach.

Union of Students in Ireland (USI) President Annie Hoey said that third level education has as much right to be funded by the State as other public services such as public libraries.

'Debt is debt. Young people don't want to be straddled with extra debt when they start making a living,' she said.