Water charges protester fined €2.8k for criminal damage to 10 meters

A water charges protester, convicted yesterday of causing criminal damage to 10 water meters at a housing estate in Carrigaline, Co Cork, was fined €2,000, plus €800 in repairs, and was bound to the peace for two years.

Brian Gould, aged 64, from 14 Barry’s Place, Gurranabraher, pleaded not guilty to the charges. He had discharged his free legal aid solicitor and refused several offers to have the case adjourned to secure a replacement.

After almost three hours of evidence and submissions, he was convicted on all 10 counts of causing criminal damage.