Andrew Carey
THERE were angry scenes and heckling in Limerick this Friday morning as An Taoiseach Enda Kenny joined his local election candidates on the campaign trail during a city walkabout.
Up to 50 loud protestors including members of the Anti Austerity Alliance party armed with placards and a mega phone, took to blowing whistles, chanting and calling for an abolition of the pending water tax charges.
Amid the chaotic scenes, up to two dozen Gardai, including armed detectives, were called to the area on Cruises St where the protest originated and they accompanied An Taoisieach through the city streets as he met with citizens and supporters.
Minister for Finance Michael Noonan was heckled and challenged by the protestors as Fine Gael party supporters rallied around to deflect the attention of the AAA campaigners from the Limerick TD.
Responding to the reaction of the loud protestors, Mr Kenny said that: “They have a perfect right to protest and I have a job to do to.
“My job is not easy, it is never easy.
“Giving people a chance to get back to work is what I have to do,” he said as Mr Kenny was flanked by local candidates and supporters.
Along the route throughout the city, Mr Kenny was met by supporters of the party but was also confronted by pensioners, unemployed Limerick people and opposers of new Government charges and measures to continue the economic recovery.
However, the Taoiseach has insisted that the Government will still be able to canvas the people in the run up to the local and European elections despite the strong opposition to water and property taxes as well as cuts to medical cards.
One pensioner, Brian Hinchy, with the assistance of his walking aid, challenged Mr Kenny regarding his campaign and said that the “cabinet was slowly diminishing. Alan is gone, who is next?”
Mr Hinchy spoke directly to the Fine Gael leader and pleaded for a review over his medical card being cut.
Mr Kenny advised the Limerick pensioner to pass on his details to the department and he would review it.
During his visit, Mr Kenny took an opportunity to call to local businesses on Little Catherine St including O’Connell’s butchers and pork shop.
Protestors accused Mr Kenny of going in to the butchers for his “pound of flesh”.
Sweet treats and coffees were laid on at Greene’s coffee shop for the Taoiseach who took a break while on the walkabout.
Here, protestors called for the public to “line up for free glasses of water”.
As Mr Kenny’s visit to Limerick ended, local election candidate and leader of the protest Cian Prendiville, sought to challenge Enda Kenny to see if the Taoiseach would “work on Job-Bridge?”
Limerick was one of the scheduled stops for the Taoiseach during the Fine Gael canvass of the Mid West and south Galway.
