Thousands will be taking part in protests against water charges this weekend.

Water protest marches in four towns

County Meath is set to host a number of Right2Water protest marches this coming Saturday, 1st November.

A rally in Navan will begin at the Fair Green at 2pm while a march in Ashbourne will get underway at the same time at the Arkle Monument in the town.

A protest march will start in Duleek at 12 noon while a rally in Kells is scheduled to begin from the Fair Green at 1pm. Brendan Ogle of the Unite trade union will be among the speakers in Navan and Kells.

Meath West Sinn Fein TD Peadar Toibin said he was expecting to see similar numbers to those which took part in the Save Navan Hospital Campaign protests in recent years.

He said that the water tax is the touchstone issue for struggling families right across the country claiming that 5,000 people in Meath are in mortgage distress. 'These people are already in danger of losing the roof over their families' head. Many others are not able to meet their rent and are on the edge of being turfed out on the streets,' he declared.