CONFRONTATIONS took place earlier today between anti-water charge protestors and Gardaí in Cork this morning.
The Ballyphehane/South Parish Says No To Water Charges group have been blocking the installation of meters in housing estates in Ballyphehane and Turner’s Cross since Monday.
This morning, there were confrontations between Gardaí and protestors at Clareville close to Pouladuff. One protestor was later brought to hospital. He has since been released from hospital.
Garda Chief Superintendent Mick Finn said that he was disappointed that the incident occurred this morning, because relations have been good between gardaí and protestors over the last two weeks.
“But people cannot be allowed to block entire estates, people have to get to school and to work, and all we did was remove people from blocking the road, we were not heavy handed,” said Chief Superintendent Finn.
Irish Water confirmed that they sent notification of their intended visit to Deerpark estate around September 18, however due to a short notice re-schedule of work, they had not delivered the second notification, which is generally delivered by post at least three days prior to installation.
Meanwhile, some Deerpark residents blocked meter installers as they tried to install meters today. They claimed the utility did not give them prior notice before they arrived in the estate at 7.30am.
Cancer survivor and Deerpark resident Claire Flood said that she does not want the metres because she fears that they may emit radiation which she believes could compromise her recovery.
Gardai arrived at the protest but left promptly, saying that they were satisfied that the protest was peaceful.
Gardai asdaulting peaceful prosters clareville ballyphehane 2 prostesters got suspected heart attacks gardai were very violent
Posted by Joseph Garvin on Wednesday, 4 November 2015
A video taken by Joseph Garvin at today’s protest.
FILE PICTURE: Water protesters in Ballyphehane being observed by gardaí.