Investigation as water meter protester hit by digger

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.

Austin Dwyer, 55, who uses a wheelchair most of the time because of severe epilepsy, was standing beside the Irish Water-contracted digger to prevent it operating when the rock breaker attachment swung out and struck him.

The father of four had to be secured to a spinal board before being brought by ambulance to hospital for X-rays but he escaped serious injury and was released after several hours. He said he would be making a formal complaint of assault to the gardaí in the coming days.