Protesters with placards in a Riverchapel housing estate where water meters are being installed.

A number of local residents disrupted water meter installation works by Irish Water in Riverchapel last Wednesday morning.

They were supported in their peaceful protest by Éirigí Loch Garman local elections candidate, Dominick Gaughan, who said: “We will support all members of the community in resistance to the water tax.”

Mr Gaughan stated that the plan of installing domestic water meters on family homes is now being rolled out across the state, and each home will be facing shocking bills of an average €300 per year. “Éirígí calls on Wexford communities to resist this unjust tax!”

Following the growing controversy around Irish Water, Mr Gaughan added, “The set-up costs of Irish Water thus far are estimated to be at €180 million, along with €50 million paid to private consultancy companies last year with more to come in 2014, and a further cost of up to an estimated €1billion to install the meters on each household across the state”

Full story in this week’s edition of THE GOREY ECHO.