Water protest tumble goes viral
An incident captured on camera during an anti-water meter protest in Bailieborough, Co. Cavan has gone viral across the internet and being picked up by media outlets including the Irish Mirror online and joe.ie.
Seen in the video is a protester falling to the ground in front of an Irish Water truck during protests in the Lios na Laoi area of the east Cavan town.
It’s a spill some have suggested appears comparable to one by Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo or Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney on the football pitch.
The man who fell was subsequently arrested by gardaí, as up to 20 people, including Garda whistleblower John Wilson and Sinn Féin councillor Paddy McDonald continued their peaceful stand-off against Irish Water workers throughout the day.
The video was posted on the Bailieborough Against Water Charges Facebook page at around 10am yesterday (February 18) but later removed.
The footage, however, remains on YouTube with the caption: ‘appalling violence used on the young lad at 1m 21s’ and the comment that the caption is ironic.
The film, uploaded to the net from a camera phone, has already sparked a spate of spoof videos including another ironic ‘Tyranny in Bailieborough’ (see videos below).
In reaction to the apparent backlash, owners of the Bailieborough Against Water Charges later posted on their social media page stating: “Clearly some people don’t want to prevent IW. That is your right. Everyone has different views we respect your views.
“It’s a shame ours can’t be respected. Also if all people can do is cling on to one person’s actions, which may be deemed as unreasonable, and tar us all with the same brush I think that’s a disgrace and a shame we are PEACEFUL protest. Do not judge us all.
“Do not judge us all. We did NOT shout abuse at IW. We will not be in your house or upsetting anybody’s children. We are not the boogy man! Pay for your water multiply times. Compare us to the UK and USA it will not stop us. We have been paying for water already via taxation. That is enough. We will not pay again. Keep the protests and page peaceful please.”