*Photograph: John O’Neill.
OVER 1000 people took to the streets of Ennis on Sunday morning as part of the protest over the rising cost of fuel.
Calls to get the Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael led Government out of office were voiced in abundance during Sunday’s protest. Protestors marched peacefully through the county town. At the Daniel O’Connell monument, there was speeches, songs including ‘My Lovely Rose of Clare’ and dancing. Signs and placards accompanied some of the group with messages which stated that fuel prices had gone too high and piggy banks were empty while others took aim at the continued over-spend on the National Children’s Hospital.
Riding ahead of the group as they marched up Abbey Street in Ennis were bikers who were also present on the M18 on Sunday.
Support within Co Clare for the protest appears to have grown given the large volumes which attended the march along the county town and also the increased activity at the mounted road blocks along the M18.
Fuel price protests rolled into a sixth day in Co Clare and across the country. In general among the Irish public there has been strong support for the protests but there has been criticism of the road blockades and even stronger disapproval with how the Government have reacted to the crisis.
Speakers at Sunday’s protest included Cllr Tommy Guilfoyle (SF), former General Election candidate Eddie Punch (II) who is an ex General Secretary of the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association (ICSA) plus Cathal O’Donoghue of C&C Executive Travel who has been one of the chief organisers of the continued protests and road blocks in the county.
“This Government has lost its way. It is out of touch with everyday people. We need a fairer deal on the cost of living and it is time for change, get this Government out,” Cllr Guilfoyle told the crowd.
All photographs by John O’Neill
