The Government looks set to abandon the introduction of water charges until next Spring, as the backlash against the new levy intensifies.
There were angry scenes in Sligo earlier this evening, with hundreds of demonstrators turning out to target An Taoiseach Enda Kenny.
Kenny was attending an event at the Sligo Park Hotel when the large group gathered outside to express their opposition to the introduction of the controversial charges.
The scene comes just a day after Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton was forced to stay in her car for several hours as part of a protest in Jobstown that has been branded "disgraceful" by Kenny.
Householders had been due to be charged for their water from last month, with the first bills arriving in January.
However, The Irish Times is now reporting that the Government plans to announce tomorrow that there will be no charge for water used over the next two months, with the levy being pushed back until after Christmas.
Under the new plan, the first bills would be due for payment next April.
