A young ‘convict’ makes a run from the law before the start of the anti-water charges protest from the Horan Centre on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean
HUNDREDS took to the streets of Tralee for an anti-water charges protest yesterday.
After the huge numbers marched in Dublin last weekend, the local protest was organised by Right2Water Kerry and they came from all over the county to again voice their opposition to Irish Water.
The march was organised to mark the arrival of the first bills from Irish Water which will be issued from April 1.
Organisers estimate a crowd of around 400 made the march from the Horan Centre to The Square where various speakers encouraged people not to pay the bills.
Michael O’Gorman of Right2Water Kerry said everyone should boycott the bills and Irish Water.
“Do not engage with Irish Water in any sense,” he told the crowd in The Square. “If they phone you, ignore them. If they write letters to you, ignore them. Come Christmas, if we all ignore Irish Water, they’ll be dead and gone,” continued Mr O’Gorman.
Scroll down to see a video of the numbers at the protest and also photos below…
The protesters entering the Square on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Martin Ferris and a young protester at the anti water charges protest on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean
A section of the protesters assembled at the Horan Centre car park before the march. Photo by Dermot Crean
Michael O’Gorman addressing the crowd in The Square on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Ladies in pink protesting on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean
WE ALREADY PAY FOR OUR WATER
Number 29 of 1997
LOCAL GOVERNMENT (FINANCIAL PROVISIONS) ACT,
1997
AN ACT TO ENABLE LOCAL AUTHORITIES TO ENJOY THE REVENUES FROM DUTIES CHARGED UNDER THE FINANCE (EXCISE DUTIES) (VEHICLES) ACT, 1952, AND FROM DUTIES AND FEES CHARGED UNDER CERTAIN OTHER ENACTMENTS, TO REMOVE THE POWER OF LOCAL AUTHORITIES TO MAKE CHARGES FOR THE SUPPLY OF WATER FOR DOM- ESTIC PURPOSES OR FOR THE DISPOSAL OF DOM- ESTIC SEWAGE, TO ENABLE STEPS TO BE TAKEN FOR THE PURPOSE OF SECURING THE PROVISION BY LOCAL AUTHORITIES OF SERVICES IN A MORE ECONOMICAL AND EFFICIENT MANNER, TO OTHER- WISE MAKE PROVISION IN RELATION TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT (IN PARTICULAR FOR THE PURPOSE OF ENSURING THAT THE REVENUES FROM DUTIES AND FEES AFORESAID ARE APPORTIONED AMONG LOCAL AUTHORITIES ON AN EQUITABLE AND FAIR BASIS) AND TO PROVIDE FOR RELATED MATTERS.
[20th May, 1997]
Fair Play To All Who Marched