Anti-refuse charge protesters picket council HQ

PROTESTERS from across Waterford travelled to Dungarvan yesterday to protest the introduction of an annual flat charge of €150 for refuse collection service.

Having picketed Waterford County Council’s administrative headquarters in advance of the monthly meeting, representatives of Householders Against Service Charges had a 45-minute meeting with senior council officials headed by county manager Ray O’Dwyer and director of services Denis McCarthy.

However, while there was little progress made yesterday, protestors vowed to carry on their campaign. Two of the 23 elected councillors, Sinn Féin’s Brendan Mansfield and Labour’s Teresa Wright, refused to pass the protesters and stayed away from the meeting in a show of solidarity.