Get on with it - Abandoned council meeting

IN contrast with the crowd of protesters who forced a meeting of Cork City Council to be abandoned, the one-man demonstration which led to its second abortive session within a fortnight could hardly be described as a protest worthy of the name. 

Yet, abandoned or suspended it was because there was a water charge objector in the chamber.

This despite the fact that the council had taken on 12 extra security guards to deal with an expected recurrence of the original protest. The scenario which unfolded prompts a valid question as to what amounts to a protest - a noisy crowd or a solitary figure? With arms akimbo he effectively held up the proceedings, leaning quietly against a table and refusing to leave when the meeting was about to begin.

Had the room been stormed by the dozen or so protesters gathered outside in the hallway the decision to suspend the meeting would perhaps be understandable. People are entitled to protest in a public forum. But when confronted by one man, surely the councillors should have got on with the business of the city.