Updated 8pm

SINN FÉIN DEPUTY leader Mary McDonald has this afternoon announced a reversal in her intention to pay water charges.

Speaking on RTÉ’s The Week in Politics, the Dublin Central TD attributed her change of mind to an accumulation of government “threats” regarding the charges.

I myself had fully intended – because I’m a person at work and I have a good income – to pay this.

But after these maneouvres, I won’t pay.

It’s not because I can’t pay, it’s not because I object to paying fair taxation, but they have frightened the life out of families the length and breadth of this state.

McDonald referred to a story in today’s Sunday Times newspaper which claims Irish Water customers who fail or refuse to register could face a €425 annual fee, regardless of their house size.

The latest manoeuvre now – on the one hand a flat charge that people can’t meet, and then a threat of a charge of €425 if you don’t play ball, is utterly outrageous.

It reflects the fact that the government isn’t listening.

She also said Enda Kenny’s “threatening” references to a 4% income tax increase at the Fine Gael Presidential Dinner last night, had contributed to her change of mind.

Earlier this week, McDonald told TheJournal.ie she would be paying, along with party leader Gerry Adams and Deputies Pearse Doherty and Caoimhghín Ó’Caoláin.

First published 12.53