Water rates protests escalate
In an unprecedented situation Clones Urban District Councillors
are in dispute with the County Manager over the issuing of
warrants for non-payment of water rates. The councillors voted by
a 7 to 1 majority in support of a Sinn Féin motion calling on the
Clones UDC to withdraw threats of court action from 30 people who
have refused to pay their water rates. It is estimated that 75%
of households in Clones have refused to pay water rates.
Despite the vote the County Manager has said he will proceed with
the court actions, which are due to be heard on Wednesday 15
October.
Sinn Féin Councillor Peter McAleer, who proposed the motion, said
it is ``a scandal when politicians are on the fiddle and with tax
amnesties, that ordinary people are being dragged through the
courts to pay this unjust double taxation.''
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