3000 take to the streets in protest over water charges

An estimated 3,000 protestors took to the streets of Mullingar to highlight their opposition to the recently introduced water charges. In inclement conditions, with constant rainfall, the demonstrators filled the streets of the town, as they walked from Penneys to the Market Square.

'No way, we won't pay' resonated throughout the town as the militant, but entirely peaceful, march brought traffic to a standstill, forcing gardaí to put diversions in place for a time.

Up to half a sozen speakers addressed the gathering with one, Dermot Murphy dismissing Irish Water's claim to have 800,000 households signed up already. He said that the National Citizens Movement, of which he is a member, have direct ccontact with a source in Irish Water who said the figure is closer to 40,000.

There were scathing attacks on the attitude of Taoiseach, Enda Kenny with one speaker noting that the Taoiseach had said he will dismiss such public protests. "Well in eighteen months time we will dismiss him", he roared to resounding applause.

There were repeated calls for the fullest possible support for the next major protest in Dublin on December 10, with local postman, Barry Carr urging everybody to make the effort. "I am definitely taking the day off to be there", he stated.

Organisers of Saturday's protest, which brought in supporters from towns and villages across Westmeath, stressed that the march had been organised by the people of Mullingar and that there was no poticial motivation to the demonstration.