Cork residents in stand-off with gardaí and Irish Water

Residents of Cobh, Co Cork are engaged in a stand off with gardaí and Irish water contractors this morning over the installation of water meters.

Residents in the Woodside area of Rusbrooke Manor say for a number of days they have been engaging with contractors to ensure only those who do not object to water meters have them installed.

People who do not want water meters installed have been standing on the space earmarked for the meter, or have told the contractors not to install the meters, or have left a sign in the window indicating that they do not want meters installed.

Evelyn Roche of the group “Cobh Says No to Austerity” said contractors had up to today respected the residents wishes in relation to installation of meters.

“But this morning they arrived and they are not even doing the meters for those who want them - they are going back on the areas where people didn’t want them,” she said.

Ms Roche said it appeared to be a targeted operation directed by Irish water.

However locals said up to 100 opponents of water charges were now standing outside homes in Woodside, blocking access for contractors.

She said three anti charges protesters had so far been arrested and cautioned “but there are plenty more to take their place”.

Asked if locals would pay the assessed water charges when bills arrive in January next, Ms Roche said she would be putting hers “in the fire”.

She said regardless of the water meter installation programme, Irish water would realise in time a second wave of protest would take place involving people refusing to pay bills.