Water protesters want special garda unit scrapped

Opponents of Irish Water have demanded the immediate disbandment of a 25-strong unit, set up in Cork, to monitor and deal with any likely violence at protests over water meters.

Cork-based groups claimed all the protests in the city to date had been peaceful.

Meanwhile, Irish Water yesterday insisted 55% of customers had paid water charges at the end of the second bill cycle, compared to 44% at the end of the first cycle.