An estimated 4,000 people took to the streets in Sligo where the government was warned that minor concessions would not “fool people into accepting water charges”.
During a march through the centre of town , much of the crowd's anger was directed at the Taoiseach, with repeated chants of "Enda in your ivory tower, this is called people power" and "Enda Kenny, not a penny".
Some carried placards bearing the slogan “let them have phones” with organisers urging the crowd at one stage to “show your phones to Joan”, as they derided the Tanaiste’s recent remarks about protesters’ mobile phones.
A woman caring for her 89 year old mother who has Alzheimer's told the rally she has to put on five loads of washing every day. Helena Ryan from the Rosses Point road, Sligo , was cheered by the crowd when she said : "I can't pay, I won't pay. It's not fair". Later Ms Ryan said she had rang Irish Water to try and explain that her mother lived next door and so she could not avail of her allowance.
“They told me I was through to a call centre and they hung up on me. I don’t usually go to protests but I am so upset about this. I don’t know what I will do. I think I will have to pay €500”.
Former Labour Party TD and Independent councillor Declan Bree said the government was now in retreat and panicking, and as a result were offering minor concessions. "We are not interested in minor concessions and we are not interested in having the charges deferred. We are here today to demand the abolition of water charges".
Campaigner Vanessa Scanlon said many people simply did not have the money to pay. "It has to stop. If we do not say no to this, what is next".
Another speaker Maria Pugh said the country was on its knees. “We already pay for water. Why are you asking us to pay again. We cannot afford to pay this tax”, she said.
Former Sinn Féin councillor Chris MacManus told the crowd that with 29 per cent of Irish children living below the poverty line, this “double taxation” would drive more families into poverty
He said that if Sinn Féin got a mandate at the next election to be part of government “we will abolish water charges”.
