(pic: Pat Browne/Munster Images)
THE Anti Austerity Alliance (AAA) geared up for the local elections at the weekend with the opening of their new Limerick headquarters which was attended by the group’s nine candidates for Limerick and Clare along with dozens of activists.
Local pensioner Brian Hinchy, who made headlines when he confronted Taoiseach Enda Kenny claiming he robbed the property tax from his pension, cut the ribbon at No 8 Lock Quay — a space formerly occupied by the Dell Redundant Workers Association.
“Both share a common goal to help ordinary people get their rights. We all stand together, because unity is strength,” said Mr Hinchy.
The pensioner pledged his support to the AAA and encouraged people to use the upcoming local election to “pay back Labour and Fine Gael for their bullying and robbery”.
Former Mayor of Limerick and AAA candidate for Newcastle West, Joe Harrington, predicted that the new office will be one of the busiest hotspots in the city in the run up to election day on May 23.
“We are organising a full-frontal assault on the austerity parties in the upcoming elections right across the Mid-West, and indeed the country,” Mr Harrington declared.
The AAA is standing seven candidates across Limerick City and County and a further two in Shannon. This week they had a national launch having registered officially as a party for the May elections.
AAA candidate for Limerick City North, Cian Prendiville, believes water charges will be a key issue for the alliance. He said the Alliance wants to turn the local elections into a referendum on water charges.
“The water charges are just another austerity tax to pay for the bank bailout, and should be rejected. So far over 1,000 local people have signed our pledge to only vote for candidates who will fight the water charges, and hundreds more are signing every week.
“People who are opposed to these taxes should use their vote to take out the parties responsible and elect some fighters for ordinary people,” said Mr Prendiville.
The AAA campaign headquarters will be open from 10am to 6pm Monday to Friday. Those interested in helping out can drop in or text AAA to 087-6525727. For more details log onto www.midwestaaa.com.
