Rural Ireland stood up last Saturday protesting against water charges and the people of Ballylanders weren't shy with chants of 'Enda Kenny, not a penny' filling the street as rain poured down, but this did not stop a great crowd showing up.

The protest was organised by Anthony Higgins and James Vaughan and supported by Sinn Fein councillor Lisa Marie Sheehy. James said he wished to thank all those who turned out 'despite the wind and rain'.

"I would like to thank Anthony Higgins for his part in setting up the event, Lisa Marie Sheehy for her support and Pat Moloney Kilfinane who came out to take photos of the event for us. Also I would like to thank the primary school kids who took part, chanting 'no way we won't pay', and 'Enda Kenny, not a penny' up and down through the village in the rain. Those young kids are Tyler Sheehy, Nathan Higgins, Scot Higgins, Savannah Higgins, Arron Flynn, Clodadh Flynn and pre-school infants Adam Higgins and Choimhe Flynn who were soaked to the bone but did not loose spirit through the protest."

Cllr Sheehy said Irish Water had been 'a fiasco from the start'.

"The reason we are here today is an accumulation of backhanders and bailouts from Fianna Fail and austerity policies on struggling families by Fine Gael and Labour. Irish Water has been a fiasco from the start and the handling of it by the government has been a disgrace". She said the people have spoken 'in Ballylanders and all around the country' but said the government 'still fail to listen and ignores the outcries of the people'.

Sinn Fein have called a special meeting of Limerick County Council for this Thursday to debate a motion it has tabled to stop metering and water charges immediately.

“We will not stop until we get water charges abolished and this is just another thing we can do to put pressure on the government," Ms Sheehy said, pointing out that this meeting of Limerick County Council is open to the public 'the same as any meeting of the council'.

It starts at 10.30am and Cllr Sheehy urges the public to 'come and see who supports you and you does not'.

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