Court told men obstructed installation of water meters

The installation of water meters in a Dublin housing estate was obstructed by three men, Tallaght Court heard on Wednesday.

Ferdia O'Brien, (23), St Patrick's Cottages, Grange Road, Rathfarnham, Sean Mcloughlin, (25), Hillview Estate, Ballinteer, and Kareen Muhssin, (26), Llewellyn Close, Rathfarnham, are all accused of obstruction at Dargle Valley, Rathfarnham, last year, contrary to Section 12(1) A and Section 8 (4) of the Water Services Act, 2007.

Garda Michael Leahy told Judge Bridget Reilly on Wednesday that the DPP had directed summary disposal.

Garda Leahy said it will be alleged that at 8.37am on April 15th, 2015, he received a call to go to Dargle Valley in Rathfarnham where water meters were being installed. He said it will be alleged that he spoke to a foreman who said that three men were inside the barriers where the installation work was being carried out. Garda Leahy said he spoke to the three men, McLoughlin, Muhssin and O’Brien and they said that they were protesting. He said he told them that they could protest on the other side of the barrier. Garda Leahy said he directed the trio to move out of the area and did this a number of times. He said that he eventually arrested them under the Water Services Act, 2007.

Judge Reilly accepted jurisdiction.

The defendant’s solicitors asked Judge Reilly for disclosure including statements and any CCTV footage. Judge Reilly adjourned the case to a date in July for a plea or a date for hearing.