Anti water charge campaigners stage sit-in at Cork City Hall

Campaigners against water charges have begun a sit-in at Cork City Hall in protest over the council's decision to remove posters advertising a march against the charge.

Some ten members of the People's Convention began the protest around 11.30am to highlight what they claim is the illegal removal of posters advertising a anti-water charge march later this month.

People's Convention spokesman, Diarmuid Ó Cadhla said the group have asked for a meeting with Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr Mary Shields to highlight their grievance over the issue.

He said they would continue to occupy the entrance to the council chamber indefinitely until the Lord Mayor agrees to meet them and hear their concerns.

Mr Ó Cadhla said some 200 of their posters advertising the protest on March 14th were removed by council staff in the past week and another 500 were removed before Christmas.

"Cork City Council say that because it's within their zone of duties to keep Cork city tidy, they may decide to take the posters down if they say that we have no permission," he said.

"The Oireachtas says in its litter acts that the people have rights to put up posters in public places to organise meetings - why would the Oireachtas say that if we need the council's permission?"

Gardaí were called to Cork City Hall by council staff and six officers were monitoring the peaceful protest on the first floor of the building opposite the Lord Mayor’s Office.

Last month a meeting of Cork City Council was abandoned after 80 anti-water charge protestors entered the council chamber to highlight the jailing of anti-water charge campaigners in Dublin.

The anti-water charge protestors occupied the main chamber after the council refused to open additional public galleries to allow them hear a debate on a motion condemning the jailings.

Gardaí were also called to Cork City Hall on that occasion but the protest passed off peacefully. It’s understood security will be stepped up for a council meeting later this evening.