Water company alleges more harassment of workers

GMC Sierra, a company installing water meters in Dublin, has brought further proceedings claiming there been several more breaches of court orders restraining harassment of its workers.

The company secured permission from the High Court to bring contempt proceedings against several individuals who are opposed to water charges and whom the company alleges have breached court orders previously granted.

Tomás Keys, for GMC, said several indivdiuals have in recent days breached court orders, including one setting up a 20 metre exclsuion zones around sites of installation works.

Mr Justice Paul Gilligan granted the company permission to serve short notice of proceedings on the individuals concerned and returned the matter to next Thursday when contempt applications against several other protesters are back before the courts.

Earlier this year, GMC Sierra secured injunctions preventing various individuals and anyone with notice of the order assaulting, intimidating or interfering with workers installing water meters.

It claims its workers have been harassed, obstructed, assaulted and threatened while installing meters in the Dublin 5 and Dublin 13 areas. The company secured an additional order establishing exclusions zones around its work stations after an alleged escalation of alleged unlawful activity by protesters.

Lawyers for the protesters allegedly in contempt said they deny any wrongdoing and contend they are protesting in a lawful and peaceful manner.

Last month, the judge ordered three protesters be committed to prison for 28 days each for breaching the orders but suspended the prison terms for six months on condition they abide by the order.

Their lawyers said the three men would continue to protest lawfully.