Eight bin collection charge protesters were ordered yesterday by the High Court to pay €200 each towards the legal costs of proceedings taken by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.
The council claimed obstruction of its depot at Sandyford Industrial Estate had disrupted bin collections.
All eight undertook to obey court orders restraining such obstruction in the future.
A further nine protesters who failed to give such undertakings will return before the president of the High Court, Mr Justice Finnegan, this morning.
Following apologies on behalf of eight protesters, the president said it seemed to him the ordinary ratepayers of Dublin should not have to pay the costs of the legal proceedings.
While he appreciated the apologies and undertakings given by the eight people, he felt he could not leave it at that.
His own view was that the court was often far too lenient when it came to dealing with those who disregarded its orders, he added.
He intended that the €200 contributions towards the legal costs be paid within three months, with the personal circumstances of each person being taken into account.
If the money was not paid within that period the matter was to return before him, when he would make orders of sequestration (seizing) over the assets of the individuals involved.
Regarding the remaining nine protesters, Mr James Macken SC, for the council, read an affidavit by the council's administrative officer, Mr Conor Lehane, who said he witnessed 25 people obstructing the depot entrance on October 30th.
He was told that gardaí would clear protesters from the gate and the trucks left shortly after 9 a.m. The delay had resulted in the failure to collect bins from 5,000 householders.
He also went to another protest at Old Court Close, Tallaght, on October 30th where protesters blocked a council refuse truck. About 200 houses were left without collection.
Mr Alistair Rutherdale, for the nine protesters, said his clients claimed there had not been a sufficient case made out for a contempt of court.
The only evidence was that of Mr Lehane, who had claimed he saw 25 people but he did not personally identify them.
He claimed gardaí took names but did not say they were the same persons he served with documents.
The president said he would adjourn the hearing until today to allow people, who wished to do so, to submit affidavits stating they were not aware of the order of the court.
Those refusing to give an undertaking could face a substantial fine, a contribution towards legal costs and a period of detention, he warned.