Five water meter protesters have been given prison sentences by the High Court for breaching an order restraining them from coming within a 20m exclusion zone surrounding installation works.

The High Court has reserved judgment in the case of seven water charge protesters facing jail or a fine if found to be in contempt of court regarding the obstruction of water meter installation.

The Health and Safety Authority is investigating an incident in which a man was hit by a digger at the site of an anti-water charges protest.