Green Party T.D. John Gormley has called for sweeping measures to stop the “serious problem” of graffiti. Namely:

• The introduction of specific legislation to deal with the offence of graffiti/street art
• The establishment of a Special Garda Graffiti Unit to target artists
• Rewards to be offered for tip-offs on Taggers
• Community service orders
• A Graffiti Hotline
• Revoking the driving licences of graffiti artists
• Banning the sale of spray paint to minors as well as banning the possession of spray paint in public place.

“If you want to know what is actually occurring inside, underneath, at the center, at any given moment, art is a truer guide than politics, more often than not.” - Percy Windham Lewis (1884-1957)

On Friday evening last, five people found themselves served with notices to appear in the High Court this morning to answer as to why they allegedly disobeyed an order from the court, preventing them from obstructing contractors from connecting up the polluted river Deel as their main water supply.

This issue has been developing in Pallaskenry in Limerick, where there is opposition to the County Council’s intentions for the local water supply. The current situation came about following protests against the plan to place the local community on a larger group scheme for the provision of water. At present the locality is served by a supply of water from a local freshwater spring. The larger group scheme would mean that the community would instead be served by water from the River Deel, which is highly polluted.

This article contains a report from this morning’s court appearance.

Excerpt:
“Orla Kaiser was last to present her version of the issue… She read from a statement that she had prepared earlier and had amended on the train from Limerick. Despite being very nervous her voice held no tremor or apology. She began with a quote from an EU directive:

"Water is not a commercial product like any other, but rather, a heritage which must be protected, defended and treated as such."

She admitted to violating the order against her. The whole courtroom erupted into applause at this point, the judge even managed a smile. Those representing Limerick County Council, neither clapped, smiled nor approved.

Previous indymedia articles on the issue: Echoes of Rossport as Pallaskenry 5 face Jail | Limerick County Council, who are you working for? | A Call For Support | Why Must We Go to Prison for the Safety of their Families? | Support for Pallaskenry & Bleach Lough Spring Water Retention Group | No Spring Water - No Vote! | UPDATE: 2 more prepared to risk jail