Silent protest over austerity

Women from Mullingar, Rochfortbridge, Killucan, Raharney and Rathwire attended a silent vigil at Fairgreen, Mullingar, on Saturday last in protest against austerity and water charges.

Linda Dunne, spokesperson for the marchers, said the hour-long vigil was about “women standing shoulder to shoulder” against garda brutality, wage cuts and job losses.

"This country cannot take any more", she said.

The group plans to lodge a complaint over Westmeath County Council plans to share council tenant information with Irish Water, which she says is contrary to the Data Protection Act.

“We certainly feel that the women are the backbone of this country. We’ve kept this country together in the past and we’re doing it again. 

Saying that it was positive move that Westmeath County Council have taken a stance of no confidence in Irish Water, Linda says the final push against water charges will be on December 10. She insisted that people will not pay.

“People won’t pay. There is an active campaign to stop the water charges and to stop people paying."