Water Protests - Togher District

On Wednesday , 30th September 2015 , Billy O'Brien of the Togher Historical Assoc. and Ken McCarthy of the Togher Tidy Towns paid an impromptu visit to the Northern part of Togher District to witness first hand the atmosphere of the recent Historic Protests against the attempted installation of Metres by Irish Water and the additional peaceful assembly by locals in opposition to the imposition of Charges by the same Body. Unfortunately , by 6.00 p.m.  the Protesters and indeed the staff of Irish Water had departed. What is now a nationwide movement has it's origins in Togher - the very first Protest taking place in Ashbrook Heights in Lehenaghmore.

Junction of Earlwood Estate and Cherry Tree Road

The opportunity was not lost however as Billy O'Brien paid a surprise visit to an old neighbour - Sinead O Sullivan McCarthy - of Hazel Road. Besides catching up on a shared childhood history in the locality stretching back to the 1970s , both found time to ponder on current events. Sinead remarked that the entire operation of protest had the profound effect of galvanizing the entire Community and had the added bonus of bringing people together in a common cause. She was at pains to point out that co-operation with Gardai and Staff of Irish Water was paramount and that all assembly was entirely peaceful and respectful. The order of business was to block entrances to Cherry Tree Road , Hazel Road , Elm Road , Birch Place , Whitebeam Road and Maple Place. Whilst Metres were installed in Earlwood Estate , it was the general consensus that locals voices would be heard in the next General Election.

 Sinead O'Sullivan McCarthy

Hazel Road

The Blog would like to extend its best wishes to all Togher residents who are actively and peacefully exercising their Constitutional rights to assembly and peaceful protest. A truly local Historic occasion which the Togher Historical Assoc. was privileged to report on.