‘Burn the Water Bills’ protest in Cork attracts more than 1,000 people

A "Burn the Water Bills" protest in Cork city centre

on Saturday attracted more than a thousand people. A rally through the city from Grand Parade was followed by a mass burning of water bills.

Cllr Mick Barry of the Anti-Austerity Alliance in the city said the “We Won’t Pay” boycott was taking a “firm root” nationwide.

“And I think the fact that Irish Water are refusing still to release the stats on how many have paid and how many have not paid is an indication that it is not going well for them.

“There is a widespread understanding that it is €40 to €65 now but after the general election and the cap lifts it will sky-rocket. Everyone gets that.”

Social welfare

Cllr Barry said it was important to state it was a charge not a tax and could not be deducted from social welfare.

“If they put through legislation that will allow for court orders for deductions they will have to bring you to court first. Are they going to be able to bring tens of thousands of people to court?”

Betty Kearney from Hollyhill on the northside of the city stressed she didn’t have any political agenda but just found herself unable to pay the bill.

“I am on my own. I got two bills, one for 40-something and the other for 60-something, and I didn’t even register. I can’t afford to pay it – it is as simple as that. ”

Carol O’Shea from Donnybrook in Cork said getting a water bill was the “straw that broke the camel’s back.”

“I have brought my bill in today to burn it. My neighbour got one similar and her total was different. I hadn’t even filled anything out online. I sent it back with the words, ‘No charge.’ I then sent back a blank form. I think the thousands of us who sent back blank forms are being counted. There is misinformation going out as well.”

Annette Ahern from Mahon on the southside of Cork city said she believed the property tax was necessary but the water tax was “a step too far.”

Passed due date

Campaigners say more than 1.5 million bills have been sent out by Irish Water since early April. They believe more than a million of these have since passed the due date for payment.

More than 70 residents in the Glanmire area of Co Cork gathered last Wednesday night to show their support for the growing national boycott of the controversial water charge bill.

They binned their bills outside Glanmire Credit Union, and the binned bills were brought to Saturday's rally, where they were burned along with thousands of other bills.

Also last Wednesday residents at Willowbank in Fairhill on the northside of Cork city prevented the installation of meters by Irish Water.