Walsh stands firm in refusal to pay refuse charge

EDDIE WALSH knows the risk involved in refusing to pay the new €150 annual flat charge which Waterford county manager Ray O’Dwyer has imposed on households for refuse collection.

Demand notices have already been circulated with a February 28 deadline date for payment of the charge.

The former Tramore Town Council member is adamant he will not be paying it - whatever the subsequent consequences.

As chairman of Residents Against Service Charges, he led yesterday’s peaceful protest outside the administrative headquarters of Waterford County Council and came away disappointed after a 45-minute meeting with officials failed to make any kind of breakthrough in the impasse.

He reiterated his decision to continue to refuse to pay, insisting there will be hundreds, if not thousands more like him.

“I am not unmindful of the threat of going to jail eventually, but if that’s what it takes to highlight this double taxation and this grossly unjust charge ... then so be it,” he said.