€750 fine imposed on unemployed activist for defying undemocratic ban on posters for national protest

The decision by Bray Town Council to act on their threat to remove CAHWT posters advertising a national protest against the household tax and austerity taking place this evening at the Dáil is an assault of freedom of political expression.

Despite the fact that local unemployed activist Niamh McDonald sought council permission to put up the posters in good time and like previously received no official acknowledgement, on this occasion, once the posters were erected the council got in touch with Ms McDonald and demanded that they be taken down or the council would both remove them and fine her.

The CAHWT in Wicklow, with the endorsement of the National Events Committee made a stand to defend the right of freedom of expression and to not accept Bray Town Council's excessive interpretation of the Litter Act. The Council initially cited the fact that three posters for a different organisation for a prior event which Ms McDonald also happens to be involved with were not taken down in time. Then when challenged the Council changed their reason for the ban saying that public meetings may be advertised but not protests!

No other local authority applies this interpretation of the Litter Act. The Campaign has a legal opinion which refutes this arbitrary and vindictive approach by the Council. Ms McDonald, an unemployed former care worker, has now received a fine of €750 as her name and number were supplied to the Council in the original application to put up the posters.

Niamh McDonald after discussing the fine with campaign colleagues has decided not to pay this fine and she has the 100% backing of the CAHWT in Bray and beyond. If the fine is not paid a District Court Case will ensue at which there will be both a vigorous defence of the right to freedom of expression, arguments presented that Bray Town Council are exceeding their powers and most importantly a demonstration of people power solidarity with Niamh outside the Court.

These repressive measures by the council are further proof that the establishment have decisively lost the political argument over the household tax and feel themselves having to resort to strong arm tactics to quell the opposition.