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Irish Water
Two ministers blocked from leaving Dublin school by water protesters
Jan O’Sullivan and Aodhán Ó Ríordáin were delayed for about 40 minutes.
ANTI-WATER CHARGE protesters blocked two ministers from leaving a Dublin school today, the Department of Education has confirmed.
Education Minister Jan O’Sullivan and junior minister Aodhán Ó Ríordáin were delayed for about 40 minutes by “a small group” of demonstrators who blocked the entrance to Gaelcholáiste Reachrann in Donaghamede.
The spokesperson for the department told TheJournal.ie that O’Sullivan “respects the right of people to engage in peaceful protests”.
He said the minister was “able to continue with the rest of her engagements” once the protesters moved.
O’Sullivan and Ó Ríordáin waited in their car for about five minutes, before returning to the school for about 35 minutes.
There have been a number of water demonstrations targeting politicians this week.
On Monday, a Cork City Council meeting had to be suspended after anti-water charge protesters entered the chamber.
Anti Austerity Alliance Councillor Mick Barry had put forward an emergency motion on the jailing of five water charge campaigners in Dublin.
On the same night, protesters gathered outside Fine Gael TD Ray Butler’s house in Meath.
Yesterday, Taoiseach Enda Kenny condemned the incident – saying the demonstrators had terrified a young family. In response, Socialist Party TD Ruth Coppinger accused Kenny and the government of attempting to discredit protesters.
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