There was a clear and steadfast display of support today against the jailing of four anti-water charge protesters earlier in the week, and another message of resistance against the water tax was sent to the Government.
Thousands turned out to the rally held in Dublin, with hundreds more protesting outside the Fine Gael National Conference in Co. Mayo.
Demonstrators gathered outside the Central Bank on Dame Street, before marching to Mountjoy Prison where four campaigners are being imprisoned for breaching a court order not to obstruct the installation of water meters.
The families of these jailed campaigners led the march, heavily supported by members of the Anti Austerity Alliance, the Socialist Workers Party and the trade union Unite.
In Castlebar, Co. Mayo, a group of about 200 people showed their opposition to the water tax by protesting outside the Fine Gael National Conference in Castlebar this afternoon.
Many of the protestors came down from the capital, and walked around the town before gathering outside the convention centre where the party’s conference is taking place today.
People Before Profit campaigner Hazel Norton announced that protests will continue wherever the Taoiseach visits.
“We’re not going to go away,” she said.
The Right2Water group recently announced that the next National Demonstration will take place in Dublin on Saturday, March 21st at 2pm.
Finance Minister Noonan stoically said that ‘people have a right to protest’.
The Government’s unilateral decision to impose water charges will single-handledly signify the Cabinet’s demise at the next election.