Protester would go to prison over household charge

A PROTESTOR who attended an anti-household charge rally outside County Hall yesterday (Tuesday) evening said he would go to prison before paying the tax.

Adrian Breatnach, Main Street, Knocktopher said that he was not paying the tax. “Even if I could I wouldn’t but I can’t as I am on the the dole. If the government want to give me bed and breakfast in Mountjoy then I am happy to go prison over this. Even if I had the means I would not pay it as they are just bailing out the banks with it,” he said. Father-of-four Sean Coogan from Castlecomer said he was also refusing to pay the charge. “I cant afford to. I have four children and I am unemployed and there is no sign of work,” he said.

Engineering technician, Paul O’Reilly from the Johnswell Road said that he took a days leave to attend the protest. “I worked hard enough to buy my house and I am opposed to it on principle. My house is privately owned and I am happy enough to pay for services but I don’t believe that the government is entitled to a property tax. I don’t care about the argument that the rest of Europe pays a property tax, they have services which are second to none which we dont,” he added. Around twenty people attended the protest which was held at 2pm on Tuesday.