Thousands of people took part in an anti-abortion vigil on Saturday to protest against the Government's plans to introduce legislation for abortion.

The Pro Life Campaign, who organised the "Unite for Life" vigil, said more than 30,000 people took part, while police put that figure at 25,000.

Dublin Archbishop Diarmuid Martin strongly backed the vigil and urged his priests to take part.

Yesterday Taoiseach Enda Kenny told RTÉ: "I'm in not in the business of liberalising abortion. I am not in the business of providing abortion on demand." He also said he had received correspondence from across the country and in a reference to the Slaughter of the Innocents recorded in St Matthew's Gospel, he said: "I'm now being branded as being worse than Herod."

Ireland's bishops are to meet the Government on Friday to discuss the matter.

Above: Organisers said they were "thrilled" at the high turnout. Photo: PLC