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Anti Bin Tax Families Reply To Slur

category dublin | bin tax / household tax / water tax | press release author Thursday October 16, 2003 14:17author by families of Anna Doran and Karen Heffernan. Report this post to the editors

Anti Bin Tax Families Reply to Slur.

This statement is issued on behalf of the families of Anna Doran and Karen Heffernan.

Anti Bin Tax Families Reply to Slur.

This statement is issued on behalf of the families of Anna Doran and Karen Heffernan.

The scandalous media spin into the fact that Anti Bin Tax prisoners Anna Doran and Karen Heffernan householders had applied for a waiver is a scurrilous attempt to discredit the Anti Bin Tax Campaign. Do these people believe if you are working that you have no right to protest over unemployment? That if you have not had a relative in hospital that you cannot protest against health cuts or that you cannot object to cutbacks in education if you do not have any children?

Everyone has the right to protest. Our mothers did not ask to go to jail. They were standing with their neighbours and families in peaceful community protest. It was Dublin City Council, which went to the court and sought to have them put in jail.

Having failed to quell the opposition by jailing residents the political establishment backed up by Tony O’Reilly’s media are now trying to discredit those women and men who made a principled stand to defend the right to effective protest.

The Bin Tax affects everyone. The Bin Service was privatised in thirty-seven Local Authorities after the charge was established there. And in that situation nobody gets a waiver. If the Dublin Councils succeed in crushing the opposition the privatisation of the service, the reintroduction of water charges for other local services will follow.

To the crime of standing by their neighbours and P.A.Y.E. taxpayers our mothers are guilty.

It is the Government of tax evaders and bribe takers and the tax exile Tony O’Reilly who are the real hypocrites.

author by galway residentpublication date Thu Oct 16, 2003 14:20author address author phone Report this post to the editors

what about those who scrapped together the money to pay the charge only to have the service stopped by people who dont even have to pay.

author by Ciaranpublication date Thu Oct 16, 2003 14:44author address author phone Report this post to the editors

I could not believe what the paper had printed yesterday.
I was so gob smacked i couldn't talk.
So by this newspapers logic i shouldn't help /support others that don't concern me.

Still shocked !!!!

Ciaran

Ps i can't bring myself to name the paper but most know which 1 i am talking about.

author by Simon the piemanpublication date Thu Oct 16, 2003 14:45author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Its plebs like you,galway resident, that have this country in the state its in. Just coz the government says to do something doesnt mean you have to do it. Its your democratic right (if theres any of those left) to protest and not pay this tax. This is an obvious ploy ,by our shambles of a government, to make up the shortfall of their squanderings of the Celtic Tiger,purr. We pay our rates in PAYE. Pretty soon our sweet little isle will be another state of the unequal US. Why not tax the rich fucks who've made millions from the workers and land of IRELAND. TAx the rich to pay for the services we deserve as inhabitants of IRELAND.

author by Maireadpublication date Thu Oct 16, 2003 14:52author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Maybe someone can work this out for me. That tax dodger ('exile'?) Denis O Brien evaded something like 63e million and then went to court to keep it all quiet.

I freely admit to being a maths illiterate. Could someone with the time work out how many bin tax bills (Dublin City Council ones) that would pay.

author by Very Anonymouspublication date Thu Oct 16, 2003 14:52author address author phone Report this post to the editors

The people who paid up have been shown the value of unthinking conformity. Just like in the Soviet Union or Saddam's Iraq - if you keep your head down and do what you're told the state will leave you alone.

By taking a stand on an important issue the bin tax campaings have shown us how the state ALWAYS stands ready to crush any kind organised grassroots RESISTANCE as opposed to mere campaigns.

The hopeless political naivity of the many recyclers/environmentalists/greens who have consistently denigrated the bin-tax campaign clearly shows that the wider Green movement have very little political understanding, as opposed to environmental understanding.

In a situation where we have the worst recycling infrastructure in Europe they have instead backed a regressive tax and not only that they have backed overt state oppression in support of the bin tax. That same oppression will be brought to bear to crush anti-incinerator groups in the future.

It would take very little research or effort for the Greens to dig out the names of all the major packaging companies in Ireland. Greens members could then block their factories and depots to stop their packaging reaching market and this surely could be justified as part of their efforts to reduce waste - can any Green members give an explanation as to why the Greens are not blockading packaging firms?

And why instead they are refusing to back a campaign that explicitly has the reduction of waste and the provision of recycling facilities as one of its main elements?

author by Fingal Anti bin tax activistpublication date Thu Oct 16, 2003 14:55author address author phone Report this post to the editors

In particular that Evening Herald; and also to a lesser extent that so-called 'Irish' 'Independent' (Coz it's neither Irish nor independent). These O'Reilly rag's think that they can issuing outrageous slanders; slurs; libels; and black propaganda and not expect any reaction. Well let me warn you Gerry O'Regan (The Editor of the Evening Herald); Vincent Doyle ('Irish Independent' Editor); Aeonghus Fanning (Sunday Independent Editor); and any of the rest of the so-called journalists who work for these 3 O'Reilly rags (And we know that you do read Indymedia) that your day of reckoning is coming very shortly. Expect to see some blockades and occupations of the O'Reilly rags printing warehouse out in City West; and your adminin HQ; 'Independent' House on Middle Abbey Street very shortly. If you won't stop printing these slanders and slurs against peaceful protestors we'll make sure that your rags of poison are not distributed. Also of course; but this will take longer; there will be the legal route pursued against you for defamation of character; and there's nothing that even the biggest gangster of all, and tax exile Tony O'Reilly can do about this.

author by galway residentpublication date Thu Oct 16, 2003 14:59author address author phone Report this post to the editors

all i am hearing is blah blah they are hypocritcal so we can be hypocritical too blah blah they can evade tax so we can too blah blah blah BLAH!

author by Fingal Anti bin tax activistpublication date Thu Oct 16, 2003 15:04author address Swordsauthor phone Report this post to the editors

blah blah blah BLAH!blah blah blah BLAH!blah blah blah BLAH!blah blah blah BLAH!

author by random inputpublication date Thu Oct 16, 2003 16:05author address author phone Report this post to the editors

There are no so blind as those who refuse to see.

author by Chekovpublication date Thu Oct 16, 2003 18:13author address author phone Report this post to the editors

These protestors were attacked viciously through O Reilly's rag for the crime of solidarity. The stood up for something that they thought was unjust, even though it didn't directly affect them. That is solidarity, nothing else.

The Herald's choicest quote was from a PD TD and went "I can't believe that these people think they have a right to protest". This seemed to be a perfectly acceptable statement to the journalist.

A few months ago we had "Anarchists plan to destroy Dublin" - a concoction of pure fantasy. Now we have another vicious attack on working class people fighting for justice.

It's time that we start telling people to boycott this rag.

author by DCABT Secretarypublication date Thu Oct 16, 2003 19:44author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Dublin Campaign Against the Bin Tax

PRESS RELEASE

Thursday 16th October – No Embargo

Secretary of Bin Tax campaign responds to coverage of ‘Hit and Run’ incident

Following on from the incident at Collins Ave on Tuesday 14th October I wish to issue a statement clarifying some facts on the event and MY personal attitude to the City Council driver involved.

The picket was at all times peaceful and non-confrontational. A very good relationship exists between the campaign supporters and the workers at Collins Avenue depot.

An entirely unprovoked incident occurred for which no rational explanation has been put forward. This was a unique once-off incident. Nothing similar had taken place previously and is unlikely to again.

I directly contradict any statements from the driver that there was a ‘mob’ present.

My personal opinion relating to the driver is this;
"I believe he has reasons (unconnected to the ongoing campaign), for behaving in the way he did. His actions were irrational and dangerous, but were undoubtedly deliberate. However, for anyone to behave in this manner, I believe there must be some underlying personal difficulties or problems playing on their mind. I do not wish to add to these problems. I do have some sympathy for this man as he is now facing serious difficulties arising from his actions."

Dublin City Council are carrying out an investigation into the incident. I would expect this to be serious and thorough, placing responsibility where it lies and taking appropriate action. Similarly the Gardai are investigating and I understand criminal charges will likely arise. I fully support both these responses.

I also wish to sincerely thank the bin workers at the depot for their concern and support following the incident.

Joe Mooney,
Secretary, Dublin Campaign Against the Bin Tax

[ENDS]

author by anarchistpublication date Thu Oct 16, 2003 21:52author address author phone Report this post to the editors

joe mooney -i fully support the gardai blah blah, criminal charges to follow - fully support this

cop lover

author by pat cpublication date Fri Oct 17, 2003 11:08author address author phone Report this post to the editors

are you seriously suggesting that someone who deliberately drove a truck into a crowd shouldnt be taken out of circulation? this driver a few years ago ran over and killed a kid.

only a fool would make the comments made against joe above.

author by Magspublication date Fri Oct 17, 2003 12:05author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Aye, and he obviously has either reading or comprehension problems too. I assume the passage he is wittering about it is:

"Dublin City Council are carrying out an investigation into the incident. I would expect this to be serious and thorough, placing responsibility where it lies and taking appropriate action. Similarly the Gardai are investigating and I understand criminal charges will likely arise. I fully support both these responses."

So where here does it say anything about loving the Guards, etc.? All Joe wants is for them to do their job, hopefully resulting in this maniac being put off the public roads.

author by Steeliepublication date Fri Oct 17, 2003 12:33author address author phone Report this post to the editors

I'd take this anarchist with an everest-sized pinch of salt. Somebody is trying to sew division I'd say.

author by Joepublication date Fri Oct 17, 2003 14:33author address author phone Report this post to the editors

She put anarchist in between ' ' which would indicate that.

author by Bill Harkinspublication date Sat Oct 18, 2003 14:46author email bhark at att dot netauthor address author phone Report this post to the editors

It is essential that those who oppose the bin tax explain clearly and politely the reasons why it is objectionable and why they have resorted to the tactics that are being utilized. The governing parties, their wealty backers and opportunist hacks have carefully constructed the parameters of the issue in a way to divide workers, the poor and those with natural sympathy. Those who oppose the tax are being cast as the "spongers". Their"failure" to pay twice for bin collection "will force councils to lay off workers" rather than questioning a taxation system that allows billion and millionaires to little or nothing and allowing giant corporations to destroy the enivronment. The comments from the Galway resident reflect the feelings of many who are un/misinformed regarding the issue. Insulting such people will do nothing to advance the bin campaigns cause. It is why the FF/PD has chosen to Jail leaders of the protest and force RTE to format undemocratic "forums" on the issue. Being nasty to people who have not grasped the issue will not encourage them to get past the ruling classes talking points to the heart of the issue: that PAYE and the poor are not responsible for the crisis and the multinationals and the the rich should be forced to to pay for the waste that they refuse to limit.

author by galway residentpublication date Sat Oct 18, 2003 16:08author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Its got little to do with wealth as there are many who can ill-afford the charge but pay anyway. It may be more to do with interpretation of civic responsibility. I read a great quote the other day that pretty much sums up the anti-bin tax attitude and how its come about. It was a quotation taken from a discussion on the centralisation of power in ireland. It stated that centralisation

"Helps foster among us the familiar 'rights without responsibilities' mentality. The state has connived - with our willing, not to say, eager collusion - at turning us all into suppliants on its centralised largesse, providing sinister but seductive support for the debilitating effect on national character of the 'something for nothing' syndrome"

author by Yossarianpublication date Tue Oct 21, 2003 13:42author address author phone Report this post to the editors

It has much to do with wealth and if you think that anyone with three kids and a salary of €20,000 is paying the bin tax out of a sense of civic responsibility you need your gead examined. PAYE people already pay 80% of the overall tax bill.
People cough up because they are threatened by the local authorities and are refused grants, mortgages etc if they don't.
With regard to your centralisation nonsense, I don't think anyone would give a big shit if a portion of their income tax went to their local authority as it's supposed to so that services are paid for by a progressive, fairer tax than the flat rate, penalise the poorest bin tax.

author by binnedpublication date Thu Oct 23, 2003 02:00author address author phone Report this post to the editors

when are you going to get over the fact that economic factors are not always the most important variable in any explanation, your sounding like one of those marxist types - and we all know what they are like

author by Precision Manpublication date Thu Oct 23, 2003 02:08author address author phone Report this post to the editors

The thing that is most tiresome is your endless repetition of council propaganda. Pity IMC cannot impose a levy on you for all the waste you have put up here.

author by binnedpublication date Thu Oct 23, 2003 02:26author address author phone Report this post to the editors

id go to jail before id pay your undemocratic levy.

author by Dawn Patrolpublication date Thu Oct 23, 2003 05:11author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Binned finally agrees that the comments he posted here are waste.

author by binnedpublication date Thu Oct 23, 2003 11:15author address author phone Report this post to the editors

I dont think my comments are waste and I think your calling them waste is wrong and if you are to place a levy on them I wouldnt pay because I think they are right. It was obviously supposed to be a joke reflection of the situation, ye know.

author by Alisonpublication date Tue Oct 28, 2003 16:44author address author phone Report this post to the editors

I am a working class citizen and dont really have an issue with paying the bin taxes and the majority of people on my road dont have an issue but we have had people blocking off our area and not letting the bin men in and verbally abusing them and to top it of they are from Dublin. and most of them dont work I found out, they said they are doing it out of "Principle"..Its so typical.......Leave everybody to their own opinion. This whole situaiotn is truely not fair on people like me!!!

author by Confusedpublication date Tue Oct 28, 2003 17:19author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Who is from Dublin?

You, the bin men or the protestors.

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