Water charge protesters heckle Taoiseach during speech in Sligo

The Taoiseach has been heckled by anti-water charge protesters as he made a speech in Ballymote, Co. Sligo.

Water charge protesters heckle Taoiseach during speech in Sligo

The Taoiseach has been heckled by anti-water charge protesters as he made a speech in Ballymote, Co. Sligo.

A crowd of around 100 protesters were among an estimated 250 people who turned out to meet Mr Kenny in the town, where he has unveiled a monument to commemorate Irish emigrants who died in the American Civil War.

Mr Kenny struggled to speak above the din of protesters.

Earlier this week Tánaiste Joan Burton defended the controversial new plans by government to deduct unpaid Irish Water bills from wages and welfare payments.

Ms Burton says the measure is long overdue because it will stop people from going to jail for unpaid bills.

Opposition parties say the new rules will turn the government and other agencies like private landlords into 'pickpockets'.

Anti-water charge campaigners claimed the scrapping of jail terms for those who do not pay bills demonstrates the 'panic' their movement has caused.

more courts articles

Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother
Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van
Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman

More in this section

Mother and daughters killed in Mayo crash named locally, as husband returns to Ireland 'Their smiles lit up the room': Tributes paid to mother and daughters killed in Mayo crash
Irish constitution referenda Transport Minister does not envisage congestion charges in near future
McEntee: Group using arson to 'sow division and fear' in communities Four arrests in connection with fire at hotel earmarked for asylum seekers
War_map
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited