Torrential rain and gale force winds may have made their trek from Ferrybank across Wexford Bridge a challenging encounter, but the severe weather conditions failed to dampen the spirits of approximately 2,500 protesters who participated in the Right 2 Water Wexford march on Saturday afternoon.
The rally against the introduction of water charges was organised by a group of local representatives following a recent public meeting hosted by the lobby group at the Wicked Swan bar, the Faythe.
The anti-austerity lobby group Right 2 Water Wexford is flanked by members of the local branches of People before Profit, Sinn Fein, the Socialist Worker’s Party, Eirigi, Direct Democracy Ireland, National Citizen’s Movement and Loch Garman Against Austerity.
However, a large number of independent individuals also joined the united front against water charges for Saturday’s demonstration.
Among the members of Wexford District Council in participation were People before Profit’s Cllr Deirdre Wadding, Independent councillor Davy Hynes and Sinn Fein’s Cllr Anthony Kelly and Cllr Mick Roche.
The four local representatives joined forces in rallying support for the community action, which was organised in the wake of a 100,000 strong protest in Dublin last month.
The Wexford event was one of over 50 rallies that took place across the country.
The four councillors collectively issued a statement calling on the people of Wexford to utilise “people power” and show their “determination” to take a firm stance on the issue.
It was also noted that the event was a “peaceful, family orientated demonstration.”
Meanwhile, Fianna Fail county councillor Fergie Kehoe created a stir when on the eve of the march he announced through a statement on social media that he was putting his “head on the block” by going against Fianna Fail policy and joining the protest.
Cllr Kehoe indicated that although he was of the contention that water could not be supplied free of charge, he felt that “Irish Water is a fiasco”.
“I don’t think water charges should be introduced at the moment…there are too many Irish families hurting,” said Cllr Kehoe.
At district council level, Sinn Fein representatives Cllr Anthony Kelly and Cllr Mick Roche had established an informal alliance with Cllr Davy Hynes and Cllr Deirdre Wadding.
Speculation now centres on whether the Fianna Fail politician who has suggested that a disparity exists between the consensus of grassroots members of the party and official party policy, is prepared to side with this so-called technical group at least in relation to the on-going water charges debacle.