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Article in the Irish Times today 01/11/2014

Water Charges – Tens of Thousands Protest against Water Charges

Thousands of people have taken to the streets in towns, cities and villages across the country as at least 70 protests are taking place today .

The first of today’s anti-water charge protest got underway at 11am as tens of thousands of people are expected to take part in marches across the country. The Government is bracing itself for the biggest display of public opposition to one of its policies.

Dublin City Centre

Tens of thousands of people are marching through Dublin city centre, as a result O’Connell Bridge is blocked and O’Connell street is closed.

The crowds lined the north and south quays of the Liffey before continuing on to the GPO on O’Connell Street, chanting “Power to the people” and “No way, we won’t pay”.

Tallaght

One of the first protests took place in Tallaght, Dublin this morning the voices of the water protestors spanned the generations.

“No way we won’t pay,” a young boy chanted as his mother led him by the hand through the throngs of people who gathered at St Mary’s Dominican Church on the village’s main street before 11am.

The Tallaght protest of hundreds, was one of the first to take place in Dublin, stretched from the traffic lights on the main street back to the Dragon Pub and the crowd was giving full voice to its opposition to the introduction of water charges.

Other slogans were: “Enda Kenny not a penny.”

Marching in Tallaght Brian Boland said the level of anger at the water charges was widespread.

“I’m a pensioner now. It’s just a measure to far, that’s what I call it and I’m not paying it. I paid the property tax all the rest of it. I paid it all all my working life. I’m finished now, I’m not paying anymore. That’s the end of it,” he said.

Yvonne Skelly said people were protesting over the water charges because this issue “is the straw that broke the camel’s back”.

Independent Senator Katherine Zappone said she was attending the Tallaght march because she supported people’s resistance to pay the water charge.

Blanchardstown

Crowds continued to gather outside the civic offices in Blanchardstown this afternoon where they were addressed by Ruth Coppinger TD

“Water tax is an unjust tax,” she called through the microphone, the crowd echoing her.

By 1.30pm gardai patrolling the march estimated that there were 2,500 people in attendance, however that figure was set to swell as smaller protests from surrounding areas and housing estates making their way to the location in Blanchardstown Town Centre.