BUSLOADS of campaigners from Dublin are planning to converge on Killarney to take part in a mass protest against water charges and austerity measures, KillarneyToday.com can reveal.

Right2Water campaigners have planned a major rally for Saturday, February 28 to coincide with the staging of the Labour Party’s annual convention at the INEC.

Tánaiste Joan Burton and her party will face the full force of public anger as several hundred protesters are expected to take to the streets, marching to the conference venue after a get-together at the Market Cross.

It has now emerged that campaigners in Dublin are organising what they have described as a “protest road trip” to join in the street rally and march in Killarney on the Saturday.

The following day they will move on to north Cork to join in a ‘Ballyhea Says No’ protest.

Dublin organiser Brian O’Reilly, who is arranging to have invitation leaflets distributed around the city, said everybody will be welcome to travel and they are being asked to “bring a friend or two”.

The buses will depart from Blanchardstown with pick-up stops along the way to Killarney, including at the Red Cow junction.

The organisers of the Killarney event, who expect anti austerity campaigners to travel from all parts of the country, have stressed that they want it to be a peaceful protest and they will liaise closely with Gardaí, INEC management and congress security staff to ensure all necessary precautions are taken.

“We urge the people to stand with us against the water charge injustice and against austerity,” said Right2Water secretary Kevin Murphy.