Watch: Fitzmaurice thanks Irish farmers for ‘phenomenal’ turn-out at Mercusor protest

Independent Ireland TD for Roscommon-Galway, Michael Fitzmaurice, has thanked the farmers of Ireland for the 'phenomenal' turnout at today’s rally against the Mercosur deal.

He estimated that up to 15,000 people gathered in Athlone to protest against a controversial free trade deal involving the EU and several South American countries.

“I salute the farmers of Ireland who have sent a clear message to the Irish Government and Europe that they do not want this dirty rotten deal,” he said.

Today’s rally, involving a large scale tractorcade, was organised by the Roscommon-Galway TD’s party.