Courts / Dublin / Report

Gardai in "Catch-22" situation when policing water protests, Chief Supt tells High Court

Summary

In a High Court hearing on 24 November 2014, Chief Superintendent Fergus Healy explained that the sites where GMC Sierra Ltd was installing water meters were not considered public areas under the Public Order Act, creating a dilemma for Gardaí in policing protests. Healy said the Gardaí would comply with any court order directing them to bring people who breached the 20‑metre exclusion zone to court. The court had earlier granted GMC Sierra an injunction preventing anyone from assaulting, intimidating or interfering with its workers. The case involved three men alleged to have breached the order, with a fourth man's attachment and committal motion struck out. The judge, Justice Paul Gilligan, adjourned the case and was set to decide on a potential prison sentence on Wednesday. The hearing highlighted the "Catch‑22" situation faced by the Gardaí, who could only act under a court order and were guided by the Water Act and the Public Order Act.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Gardai in "Catch-22" situation when policing water protests, Chief Supt tells High Court. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• November 5th Hearing Or Sentence
• 2014-11-24 Publication

Places mentioned

Topics

Public Order Stage Sentence

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Read the original CNI report