Andrew Carey
UPWARDS of 200 protestors gathered outside a Limerick hotel hosting a Fine Gael regional meeting attended by An Taoiseach Enda Kenny this Monday evening.
Despite a strong garda presence of over 60 uniformed officers, anti water charge protestors are continuing their campaign against the introduction of the new fees despite the recent Government step down in reducing the amounts payable for the service that Irish Water will provide.
This Monday evening, the Taoiseach arrived to the Greenhills Hotel on the Ennis Road ahead of schedule before the protestors had gathered.
Minister for Finance Michael Noonan and Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald arrived a short time after the Taoiseach but protesting crowds had yet to fully gather.
However, local councillors and party members attending the meeting had to make their way through the growing crowd as chants and protest cries could be heard over loudhailers from the protestors that had congregated a short distance from the hotel’s main lobby entrance.
Senator Martin Conway, who famously told the nation that “water is a finite resource….. water needs to be paid for, it costs – it doesn’t just fall out of the sky”, was booed as he walked through the crowd of up to 200 protestors to gain access to the meeting inside. Other party supporters and Fine Gael elected members were confronted by angry protestors delivering their message against the tax and further austerity.
Representatives from anti water charge campaigns in Nenagh, Shannon and Limerick actively voiced their objection to the charges with rebellion and festive chants against paying for the utility service. Many dubbed the lyrics of songs with their own versions to echo the people’s message.
Amongst the chants, Mr Kenny was given festive warnings with a version Jingle Bells ending in “we won’t pay”.
The protest remained peacful with the crowds chanting festive slogans, however a car driven by Fine Gael councillor Noel Coonan had to receive a slow walking garda escort out of the hotel car park as the protestors grew louder and surrounded it.
As the meeting continued for Fine Gael members inside, the group of protestors had reduced by half but they vowed that their campaign would continue until the charges and Irish Water were abolished.
An Taoiseach Enda Kenny left the meeting without any confrontation with the protestors after an Garda Siochana executed a secure exit plan for the senior ministers.
Some protestors remained at the hotel for a short period as the rain fell late into Monday night before Gardai began to disperse and stand down their cordon.
There were no reported incidents from the protest which passed off peacefully according to gardai.
