Updated at 11.10pm
AROUND 200 WOMEN (and one or two men) turned out this evening for silent vigil outside Tallaght Garda Station.
Wearing hi-vis vests and carrying torches and placards, they lined either side of the road between the station and the Plaza Hotel in pretty miserable weather.
Louise Dunne — a Sinn Féín councillor who took part in last Saturday’s controversial blockade of Joan Burton’s car in Jobstown — organised tonight’s event.
She outlined its rationale, on Facebook…
“Over the last number of days, the people of Tallaght have been subjected to being called abusive and violent thugs, dissidents, and kidnappers.
“The people of Tallaght are decent respectful people.
Let us make a huge statement outside Tallaght Garda Station, letting the Media and Government know that we are peaceful protesters and the man handling of women & children is not acceptable.
This evening, participants were advised…
“There will be Garda who will be arriving and leaving the station, I ask you all to please refrain from verbally abusing any of them, as this will take away from the message we are trying to send.
Remembering this is a silent protest.
Lynn Boylan, the Sinn Féin Dublin MEP, also attended — as did representatives from grassroots anti-water charges groups in the area.
The event follows a similar one in Coolock, on the opposite side of Dublin city, on Tuesday night…
On that occasion, the demonstration was organised to protest what groups taking direct action against meter-installers contend has been unnecessarily heavy-handed policing of their rolling actions in the suburban estates of Dublin 5 and 13.
Gardaí have denied the accusations, with rank-and-file members contending they have been subjected to threats by water protesters.
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