Updated 7.10am
AN ANTI-WATER CHARGE protest was staged at Coolock Garda Station last night.
Gardaí confirmed that protesters had gathered outside the station. There have been reports on Facebook that pepper spray was used on some protesters but gardaí would not confirm if this was the case.
Gardaí said the protest in Coolock followed on from an earlier protest at Santry Sports Club in Northwood, where Taoiseach Enda Kenny was attending an opening.
There were reports that Taoiseach was forced to stay inside, however, a spokesperson for the Government denied that this was the case.
Video footage from a protester shows scuffles between gardaí and protesters as Kenny’s car exits the premises.
Arrests
Three people were arrested at the sports club protest for obstruction, confirmed the gardaí, who said they were then taken to Coolock Garda Station.
They have since been released.
The protest at the sports club escalated following the arrests, with protesters taking their demonstration to the station this evening.
Yesterday, the High Court granted an order setting up a 20-metre exclusion zone around water meter installations.
Speaking out against the ruling, Anti Austerity Alliance Councillor Michael O’Brien said that attempts to criminalise the growing protest movement will fail, stating that protesters represent the majority working class sentiment.
Diversions were put in place around the station, including the Oscar Traynor Road.
First published 20.15pm, 5 November
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