Gary Coleman is on his second day of hunger strike in protest over water charges.
The 28-year-old has taken to the steps of Cork’s City Hall, vowing to remain on hunger strike and hopes others will follow.
“This won’t be a one-day thing. I hope it will gather momentum,” Coleman wrote on the Facebook page set-up to document his efforts, which has already garnered over 7,000 likes.
The Corkonian contemplated taking the extreme action over the issue for several weeks, but according to the Irish Examiner, followed through with it yesterday.
“Everyone is angry about it and the march in Dublin at the weekend was fine,” he said, “but we have to take it up a level now”.
Last night, Coleman slept outside City Hall, and despite several attempts to discourage this move, he told the newspaper that he will do whatever it takes until the government responds.
“I’ll keep it going as long as I have to, until we get a response from the government,” he continued.
“I’m sure they will have a few sweeteners in the budget, but the price of water is only going to go up and up”.
An estimated 100,000 people turned out to protest against the levy in Dublin city over the weekend, and today the coalition confirmed that those in long-term unemployment and other welfare groups will be given a €100 yearly allowance.
Watch an interview with Coleman below:
Video via YouTube/David O’Sullivan
