Scuffles at anti-water charges protest at Labour conference

A small group of breakaway anti-water charges protestors attempted to breach the barriers at the Labour Party conference in Killarney this afternoon in an otherwise largely peaceful protest.

More than 500 protesters from around the country marched from the town centre in Killarney to the entrance to the INEC, where the conference is being held.

A small group of around 10 broke off from the main march and headed towards the INEC entrance, leading to minor scuffles at the barriers with gardaí and security staff.

While other protestors followed, the organisers asked for calm and directed the protest back to the road.

David Houlihan of the Mid West branch of the Right to Water campaign group said "an element" tried to breach the barriers.

“We had it organised outside the gate but an element broke in and the crowd followed. They are not part of the Right to Water campaign,” Mr Houlihan said. “I don’t know where they came from but it’s not on.

“The gardaí have been very co-operative with Right to Water at any protest we have had so we have to respect them.

"We want the Labour Party gone. They've made false promises, they told lies to the people of Ireland. We want them gone."

One placard held by a protestor had a picture of a shotgun barrel open and read: “Hi Joan, the people of Killarney welcome you with open arms. You better go fast before they open them.”