The mayor of Drogheda has quit Fine Gael over the water charges controversy

Cllr Kevin Callan has stepped down a day after people took to the streets of his town over the issue.

THE MAYOR OF Drogheda, Kevin Callan, has quit Fine Gael in protest over how the government has handled the introduction of water charges.

Callan tendered his resignation to the general secretary of Fine Gael, Tom Curran, earlier today.

Callan confirmed his resignation to TheJournal.ie this evening. A Fine Gael spokesperson said in a brief statement: “The party regrets his decision.”

Yesterday around 8,000 people protested in Drogheda over the water charges issue as part of the nationwide Right 2 Water protests.

The news has been welcomed by Sinn Féin president and Louth TD Gerry Adams, who said: ”He has clearly witnessed the people’s anger over water charges and has recognised that the Fine Gael leadership is not listening.”

Read: Water butts are flying out the door in Woodie’s as sales more than double>

Read: ‘Things change’: Labour TD defends her party’s U-turn on water charges>

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