Violence divides water meter groups

A key figure in the growing anti-water meter movement in Cork has distanced himself from another blockade group after ugly scenes during a fracas.

Noel Dolan, who created the fliuch.org website, and who is behind the Fliuch Off Facebook and Twitter profiles, said he had “no choice” but to distance himself from the Ballyphehane/South Parish Says No group following what he said was their “failure to keep control over one of their members” at what was supposed to be a “peaceful and dignified” protest in a Carrigaline estate last Monday.

Residents in Owenabue, supported by members of Fliuch Off and the BSPSN, have been maintaining a blockade of their estate in a bid to prevent Irish Water contractors from installing water meters.

However, tempers flared on Monday. It is understood that some residents who indicated they were willing to have water meters installed, objected to the presence of a high-profile member of BSPSN, who was standing inside work barriers, blocking work on stop cocks.

When he was physically removed, a fracas ensued, after which complaints were made to the gardaí

Mr Dolan said the events prompted him to distance himself, and his organisation, from the BSPSN group.

He said residents in nearby Clevedon estate had last week asked members of the BSPSN group to behave themselves. However, the incident on Monday was the last straw, he said.

“I personally was horrified with what happened and abhor every part of it — including residents screaming abuse and using foul language in front of kids,” said Mr Dolan.

“I can only offer my sincere apologies to all who were negatively affected by those events.

“Fliuch was set up, as I have always said, to disseminate information about the true nature of Irish Water Ltd. and to promote residents’ meetings to encourage residents to protest peacefully and lawfully.

“I made it very clear to the BSPSN group that I was not happy with what happened in Upper Clevedon last week — yet it happened again in Owenabue on Monday.

“There are some very dedicated members of the BSPSN group who are peaceful, law-abiding citizens who have put a lot of time and effort and personal finances into this campaign, as I have, and they are welcome to remain on-board as part of Fliuch, but not as part of the BSPSN group.”

BSPSN chairman John Lonergan was not at the protest on Monday, but he said he had received reports of what had happened.

“It’s not a case of condoning or condemning the individual involved, but we have asked the individual involved to step away from the campaign for the time being,” he said.

Mr Lonergan stressed that BSPSN members only go into housing estates when invited by residents who do not want water meters installed.

He said they will continue to support residents who do not want water meters installed outside their properties.