FG councillor sorry for ‘ill-judged’ water protest comment

A Fine Gael councillor has apologised for comments she posted on her private Facebook account over the weekend in which she urged anti-water charge protestors to collect rainwater while out protesting and drink it for a week.

Cllr Laura McGonigle posted the message after more than 100,000 people across the State and up to 20,000 in Cork braved driving rain to protest against water charges under the Right2Water banner.

“They should collect all the rainwater while out marching today and drink that for a week,” she said in a post on her Facebook page which was later deleted amid online criticism.

Cllr McGonigle posted a clarification on her Facebook page and apologised for any offence her comments may have caused.

“A suggestion had been made to me earlier that morning that as a nation we should not pay for our water as there was plenty of rain. I was attempting to highlight that rainwater is not safe for drinking and costs the State in the region of €1.2bn per year to treat.”

In a statement to The Irish Times, Cllr McGonigle said: “I’m very sorry for any offence or upset caused by my ill-judged comments on my Facebook page.

“I never intended to upset anyone. There was no intention on my part to insult anyone, and if anyone felt insulted I am incredibly sorry.

“I understand why people are protesting and I fully support their right to do so. I don’t feel I can usefully add to this, other than to say again that I’m sorry. I’ve been overwhelmed by the commentary which my comments have caused.”

A group of about 20 anti-water service charge protestors gathered outside Cork City Hall earlier this evening to confront her.

Among those waiting outside Cork City Hall was Elizabeth Hourihan from Passage West in Cork, a member of the National Citizens Movement who is bringing a High Court challenge against the establishment of Irish Water.

"It's not good enough - she might as well have come out and said 'Let them eat cake' - for a public representatitve to come out with such a statement is totally disingeneous to all those who marched not alone in Cork but all over the country," Ms Hourihan told Cork's 96FM.