Garda whistleblower arrested for taking part in Irish Water protest
The retired garda told the Irish Examiner he took this stance because he was “not a criminal”, but a “proud member of the largest people’s movement” in the history of the country.
However, Mr Wilson was given no choice after the arresting officer used power contained in criminal justice legislation to authorise gardaí to take a photograph without his consent.
The standoff took place in Cavan Garda Station following the arrest of Mr Wilson, along with two others, on suspicion of obstructing or interfering with the work of Irish Water in Cavan Town.
Mr Wilson said he sat in an Irish Water work station in Kilnavara Crescent estate where workers were about to use a mini-digger to install a water meter.
He was directed by an officer to vacate and, when he refused to do so, was arrested under Section 12 of the Water Services Act 2007 just before 9.30am.
Mr Wilson, who retired in May 2013, said gardaí in the station were “very courteous and professional”, but that he refused to consent to a request to be photographed and fingerprinted.
“I refused to consent,” he said. “I didn’t have to consent. I am not a criminal.”
The officer used a power under Section 12 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006 to authorise a photograph without his consent. “I had to permit the photograph,” Mr Wilson said.
Garda Whistleblower John Wilson back on the anti-water protest campaign at O'Raghallaigh Park in Cavan this morning. pic.twitter.com/dusJP2yRRx
— NorthernSound News (@NewsonNS) April 22, 2015
Asked whether this proper behaviour of a former member of the force, he said: “I am proud to be a member of the largest people’s movement in the history of this country and this movement is not going away.”
Mr Wilson, who lives outside Cavan Town, said he was released at 3.20pm after spending five hours in a garda cell.
He said he was a member of protest group Cavan Water Charges Opposition Group and that they have been actively organising briefings at estates.
He said residents and the group have been “erecting barriers” at entrances to estates in recent months and said their movement has grown.
“Irish Water is the most hated and toxic entity in the history of this country,” Mr Wilson said. “We are approaching the centenary of the 1916 Rising and I think it’s time we had another peaceful rising in this country to get rid of and put an end to cute hoorism politicians that has blighted our great country since the foundation of the State.”
Mr Wilson repeated his intention to contest the next election as an independent.
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