Neil Cafferky speaking, protest at Irish embassy, 10.12.14

Neil Cafferky speaking, protest at Irish embassy, 10.12.14   (Click to enlarge: opens in new window)

Solidarity with Irish anti-water charges movement

London Socialist Party members attended a protest at the Irish embassy in London organised to coincide with a mass demo in Dublin on 10 December against water charges.

Speakers included Neil Cafferky from the Socialist Party, Sinn Fein MP Pat Doherty, and Irish activist Paul O Connell.

Pat Doherty referred to the work of the Socialist Party (Ireland) and its TDs (Irish MPs) Joe Higgins, Ruth Coppinger and Paul Murphy, who play a role in leading the community and activists in opposition to the charges for water and the installation of water meters. He pledged not to pay water charges on his Donegal home.

Neil Cafferky from the Socialist Party spoke, as other speakers did, of the brutality of Ireland’s Garda (police) with the backing of the government. He also denounced the smears by government spokespeople and the right-wing press against Paul Murphy TD and the people of Jobstown in Dublin.
He emphasised the importance of building a mass non-payment campaign, beyond personal commitments not to pay, to bring down the charges and the government.

Paul O Connell, the organiser of the protest, spoke of the opposition across Ireland and the learning of tactics from other campaigns. Other international struggles, such as in Spain, were also mentioned.

It was also said that where possible, links should be built with trade unions like Unite and Siptu in Ireland as attempts are made to force workers to install these water meters – taxing the poor while bankers and the rich are let off scot free.

Pat Atkinson