Some of most important water campaign stories that affect Inishowen from Donegal and around the country.
Inishowen Attacked by Thugs
There is a rogue team of Irish Water meter installers in Inishowen peninsula and it’s time they were stopped in their tracks. Their ‘modus operandi’ is to ignore all installation agreements.
1. They use an unmarked van – this is not allowed.
2. They do not produce I.D. when requested
3. They invade private property without permission and refuse to leave when requested
4. They have given zero notification of their intention to install water meter installation. By Irish Water’s own agreement ( which was agreed with An Garda Siochana and is written on their web-site ) ALL residents must be given two weeks notice to begin with, followed by a two day notice and then, finally, must knock on your door on the mentioned day to alert you of the imminent water meter installation.
All this is being ignored as they move furtively from estate to estate installing meters without the knowledge of the residents. Worst of all, when challenged they use foul language totally ignoring their own work agreements and trample over the rights of the residents. This has now been well documented by the experience of a local Moville resident and indeed other examples now coming to our notice.
Our group,Moville Community Against Water Meters, has already made Irish Water and An Garda Siochana aware of this abuse and we are now calling on all our elected representatives to come to the aid of their constituents and insist that Irish Water deal immediately with the unlawful and unacceptable behaviour of this team of water meter installers.
See rest of Enda's statement in Craic On
Irish Water Treatment of Woman Appalling in Buncrana Together.
Buncrana Man Defies Irish Water
I celebrate James Connolly who died in the 1916 rising by this small act of defiance and I castigate the Irish Labour party for their part in supporting and driving the Water Services legislation through. My act is what James Connolly would have done.
Moville Community will voice concerns Thursday April 14
Moville Community Against Water Meters will help and support residents in a Moville estate to voice their objections to the way they were treated by unknown thugs. This Thursday they will gather in the estate where a spokesperson for the community will read out their statement. Enda Craig said he will invite all elected representatives to come and support the community. He will also invite the media.
Buncrana Together believes that the workmen were working as subcontractors for Irish Water. The reason we say believe is because they did not identify themselves. There was no identification on their vehicle. We also believe that they were GMC Sierra employees.
Public meeting in St Marys Hall Muff tuesday 12th May from 8pm
Water Warriors Donegal and North Donegal Irsp are holding a public non political party meeting and public information night to highlight the ongoing fight against Irish Water and the installation of water meters and to show people the way to beat irish water is by mass nonpayment of the bills.
The meeting will be chaired by Simon McElroy from water warriors and Mark McKinney from IRSP. We invite all the people of the muff area and indeed anyone that wants to learn more about the protest. This meeting is an all inclusive meeting and we invite members from every anti water group in the area. Political groups are also welcome but this is a non party political meeting. We will only talk about the subject in question on the night please.
Irish Water Delivery Service Too Little Too Later
Irish Water are delivering notices using unidentified men who either put a leaflet through your letterbox or fling it on your doorstep. Some do not get a notice at all. There are no names or addresses on the envelope. We believe this was a reaction by Irish Water to our repeated complaints both to them and to Garda Siorhána. it is not good enough.
Click on the photo and at the bottom of article you can read what they should be doing.
The West is Awake
Glenties Resident Stop Irish Water
Ard Patrick Estate in Glenties on Tuesday 28th April, 2015
Pulling out of Gort Na Seglad
Cllr Mac Giolla Easbuig said that this is another victory in west Donegal this morning again. Well done al. Irish Water are now pulling out of Gort Na Seglad
Cruit Island Another Victory
Protesters, Cruit Island, were delighted by results of their protest. Gllr Mac Giolla Easbuig said "another morning with Irish Water in Cruit Island, west Donegal. It looks like only one or two meters are going to get fitted on the Island.
Residents Right to their property in Glenties stated clearly
In Glenties the rights to private property is questioned by residents. The households firmly state that the water shore or stopcock is their property. They state that as property owner or occupier they do not need to prove if it is private property or not. Irish Water need to prove that it is not as they are the party intending to carry out works. A spokesperson for the group say demand proof of them. Do not let them commence until they show you the maps and all their paperwork and where they got their permissions.
Worked Stopped in Gweedore
Cllr Mac Giolla Easbuig said "We have Irish Water at stop in Gweedore right now. They have being knocking at doors but every one is telling them they don't want a Meter. The foreman has agreed that they won't fit a meter if residents tell them that they don't want one.Keep up the Fight! We are Winning."
Pulling out of Annagry
Other national stories that caught the eye during the week
On Wednesday May 6th 2015 the Irish Government approved a Civil Debt Bill to abolish imprisonment of debtors & implement recommendations of 2010 Law Reform Commission report. This includes Environment Legislation to strengthen regulatory regime around the payment of water charges. The legislative stage could take up to 6 months before this bill goes to Dail for approval. See full article including official statement and opinions Here.
Read this interesting article by Gene Kerrigan in the Sunday Independent Apr 10. Click image.
Waterford Politicising An Garda Siochána May 7 2015
Sligo Protesters Make Enda Kenny unwelcome at Ballymote
Fine Gael member provokes crowd in protest at Ballymote where 200 protesters gather to protest at privatisation of water. At 00:15 you can see one of Enda's lackeys pointing an umbrella like a rifle at a member of the congregation in an attempt to provoke crowd.
The protesters showed great respect during the National Anthems & the minutes silence. Enda kenny when he addressed the assembled people in Ballymote that he was "Delighted to be in Ballinrobe" drew some consternation from the crowd. The peaceful protesters were then held back against their will at the behest of Enda Kenny which was a clear attempt at provocation. Sligo News facebook page