Protesters ‘proud’ of Burton incident

Demonstrators involved in the anti-water charge protest during which Tánaiste Joan Burton was trapped in her car have said they are proud of it and would do it again.

Some of the 22 protesters who have been arrested in the past week in relation to the incident in Jobstown last November attended a press conference yesterday to announce details of another demonstration this weekend.

The rally, called to protest at what they claim has been “political policing”, will take place on Saturday at 2pm at the Central Bank on Dublin’s Dame St.

Anti-Austerity Alliance councillor Kieran Mahon, who was one of the first people arrested, claimed both the Government and the media were trying to undermine the campaign.

“There is a very, very concerted and considered attack going on to undermine the water charges movement,” he said. “We have seen ourselves labelled as terrorists, as lunatics, as the mob by the national media.

“What you see is very normal people from working class areas, people who are involved in their communities, people who far from the rabble, far from the mob we have been presented as.”

Sandra Fay, a teacher at St Mark’s Community College in Tallaght and one of the protesters who sat down in front of Ms Burton’s car, said she had asked gardaí to arrest her this week during mid-term break so as not to disrupt classes.

“I don’t think I should be pulled out of my bed. I will go to them and answer their questions. I have no problem because I would do it again. I would sit in front of her car again and again. I am proud of that protest.”

Ms Fay said she was also annoyed that she had yet to receive a visit from gardaí regarding a burglary at her home which took place the same week as the Jobstown protest.

“I don’t think the gardaí don’t want to investigate this crime. I know they don’t have the resources. But they have to go around arresting people when all they have on them is name-calling.”

The press conference was also attended by 16-year-old Jason Lester, the youngest person arrested during the past week.

“How can the Government say they care about education if they take a 16-year-old who is preparing for the Leaving Cert next year out of class? I should have been in school, instead I was in a prison cell,” he said.

Derek Byrne, the campaigner who was filmed verbally abusing President Michael D Higgins during a recent protest, was also present but dismissed as “gutter journalism” questions about his behaviour.

Mr Mahon said he did not agree with Mr Byrne calling the President a parasite but added: “I believe he’s a symptom of a political and economic system that is parasitic by its nature.”

Meanwhile, Sinn Féin called for clarity on the laying off of water meter installers by contractor Sierra, apparently because protests have made installation impossible in some parts of Dublin.

“Irish Water and Minister Kelly need to make a statement on this, and decide whether it is worth their while to fritter away more public money on the installation programme, or to instead devote the money to addressing the crisis in the system which is responsible for around half of the supply being wasted.”