VIDEO: Water charges protester seeks trial by jury

A leading figure in the anti-water charges campaign said he wants to be tried by judge and jury after being charged with theft and causing criminal damage to water meters.

Brian Gould, aged 64, of 14 Barry’s Place, Cathedral Rd, Cork, was before Cork District Court yesterday where he was charged with taking keys worth €50 from an Irish Water subcontractor’s Ford Transit van at The Rise housing estate in Carrigaline on August 25.

He was further charged with 10 counts of causing criminal damage to water meters, worth €80 each, in the Ashgrove estate area of Carrigaline on August 22.

He will be pleading not guilty to all charges.

The court was told the DPP had consented to the summary disposal of all of the charges in the district court.

Mr Gould’s solicitor, Catherine Kirwan, said her client wants the theft charge to be heard by a judge and jury at the circuit court.

“These are serious offences for my client,” said Ms Kirwan. “He has never been charged before and he wishes to vindicate his rights in full.”

Sheila O’Byrne was among around 80 water charge protesters at

Cork District Court yesterday. Picture: Daragh Mc Sweeney

Judge Leo Malone accepted jurisdiction in relation to the criminal damage charges but Ms Kirwan said these charges are intrinsically linked to the theft charge, and that all should be heard together at the circuit court.

Inspector Billy Duane said the State would need eight weeks to prepare a book of evidence and Judge Malone adjourned matters until April 17 for service of the book of evidence.

A decision will be made at that stage on whether the criminal damage charges will be tried on indictment alongside the theft charge.

Ms Kirwan applied for and was granted free legal aid for her client, who is in receipt of social welfare.

Mr Gould was then remanded on continuing bail.

About 80 members of anti-water charge groups in Cork city and county staged a protest outside the court before and during the proceedings. There was also a strong garda presence in and around the building.

About 40 of the supporters, drawn from anti-water charges groups in Ballyphehane, Cobh, and Carrigaline, sat in the courtroom during the brief court hearing.

Speaking afterwards, Mr Gould said he is facing a possible fine of €1,000 or even a jail term if convicted.

“These are serious charges and I will be pleading not guilty to all,” he said.

“I want a jury of my peers to hear my case, and not a district court judge on his own.”