Five arrested over Jobstown water charges protest

Five males, two of whom are under 18, have been arrested in connection with the ongoing investigation into the anti water charges protest in Jobstown last November.

The three men and two teenagers are being questioned at Crumlin, Tallaght and Rathfarmham Garda stations. They are being held under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act.

The arrests bring to 18 the number arrested so far this week as part of the investigation. All of those arrested to date have been released without charge.

The investigation relates to a protest which trapped Tánaiste Joan Burton in her car for several hours.

A water balloon was also thrown at her head during the protest.

Socialist TD Paul Murphy and two county councillors were among four people arrested and questioned by gardaí on Monday.

All five were released without charge this afternoon. Files are being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

A protest is being organised by anti austerity campaigns outside the Department of Justice on Thursday at 6.30pm against what they claim is “political policing” on the part of the gardaí.