THE Irish Government have been promised a real Halloween scare in Limerick this weekend with its worst nightmare — organised mass non-payment of water charges — now threatening to raise its ugly head.
This Saturday at 2pm, protesters will assemble at City Hall before marching through the town as part of a protest organised by the ‘We Won’t Pay!’ campaign, initiated by the Anti-Austerity Alliance.
In a surprise move, Cathaoirleach of Limerick City and County Council, Cllr Kevin Sheahan, has given the protest his stamp of approval after announcing his intention to participate. Cllr Sheahan announced his plans to protest “against the behaviour of Irish Water and the charges applicable to water, plus all other related charges, that he considers to be excessive, unfair and, at this time, far too harsh and severe on the general public”.
The Fianna Fail councillor stated this week that in his almost 30 years as an elected public representative, he has never heard so much anger, frustration, annoyance and even fear coming from members of the public.
The Askeaton politician feels people are rightly angry over the recent revelations of the bonus culture in Irish Water; the lack of response on the telephone when people have complaints to make; the proposed additional charges for leakages, breakdowns and callouts, and the high charges for water itself.
“Public representatives should not have to obey political party rules or regulations when it comes to a critical issue such as the water charges and the behaviour of Irish Water,” said Cllr Sheahan.
He went on to opine that Irish Water should be disbanded immediately and significantly more thought put into how local services will be paid for.
“In Rural County Limerick, people are mystified by the reports that Ireland has turned the corner and the Recession is over, or almost over. These same people simply cannot afford at this time to pay any additional charges, levies or taxes. Enough is enough,” he concluded.
Organiser of this weekend’s protest, AAA councillor Cian Prendiville says he expects the protest to be “a real Halloween scare for the Government” and insists the growing campaign of organised mass non-payment of water charges is their “worst nightmare”.
“The water charges issue is haunting the Government, and despite their best efforts the opposition to it refuses to go away. This is a vampire tax, sucking more money out of ordinary people to give to the zombie banks,” said Cllr Prendiville.
“The government are now desperate to pin the blame on Irish Water. Undoubtedly, Irish Water is a monster of a company, but it is a Frankenstein creation by this government for a particular purpose – to gather together the assets, to impose charges and to prepare for privatisation,” he concluded.
