Human rights activists took to the streets of Dublin today to urge the government to sign up to an international treaty banning cluster bombing.
The demonstration at the Central Bank was part of a global day of action calling on world leaders to outlaw the controversial weapon.
Cluster bombing involves the scattering of explosive charges over a wide area in order to maximise damage to targets. However, opponents claims the weapon virtually guarantees civilian casualties and should be banned.
Next month an international governmental conference will be held in Dublin to discuss proposals to introduce a world wide ban on cluster bombing.
Senator David Norris and Amnesty International Irish Section Executive Director Colm O'Gorman were amongst those who participated in the protest.
Colm O'Gorman said the Irish Government had played a key role in driving the process for an international ban on cluster munitions and this should be acknowledged.
"These weapons are completely indiscriminate, maiming and killing thousands of people every year, many of them innocent civilians, including women and children," he said.
"We now have a real chance to ensure these weapons are banned throughout the world and the Irish Government has an historic opportunity to provide leadership on the international stage in ending a horrific human rights abuse.
Mr O'Gorman said the use of cluster munitions was a "human rights obscenity" and said banning their use would save thousands of lives every year. "It will save countless more people from maimed or shattered bodies. It is a cause that everyone in Ireland can surely endorse,” he added
(PA)