| 11.5°C Dublin

Enda Kenny to meet property tax hunger striker

Taoiseach Enda Kenny Expand

Close

Taoiseach Enda Kenny

Taoiseach Enda Kenny

Taoiseach Enda Kenny

Fiach Kelly, Political Correspondent

TAOISEACH Enda Kenny says he has no problem meeting a man who has been on hunger strike for over three weeks in opposition to the property tax.

Tony Rochford took his hunger strike to the gates of Leinster House last week but is understood to have since been taken home by his family.

Mr Rochford (45) is from Trim, Co Meath, and has been on hunger strike since Monday June 17. His case was raised with Mr Kenny in the Dail today by Independent Waterford TD John Halligan.

While Mr Halligan says he does not agree with Mr Rochford’s approach, he was raising the issue because he was asked to do so by the 45-year-old’s family.

Mr Halligan also raised the difficulty self-employed people had in accessing the dole. Mr Rochford ran a business doing marble installations in houses.

Mr Kenny said it was sad to see a citizen out the front of Leinster House on hunger strike but outlined how people in difficulties could pay the property tax.

He said people can apply to have their property tax deferred, and said there were many self-employed people claiming jobseeker’s benefit.

He also said he would be happy to meet Mr Rochford, adding he would like to see his issues resolved.

Most Watched

Privacy