188 water protestors arrested in past year

Up to 188 anti-water protestors have been arrested in the last year for a range of issues, including public order and more serious offences.

Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald released the data yesterday as she denied that public representatives opposed to water charges were being monitored by gardaí.

She told the Dáil that 188 people had been arrested since November 2014: “A total of 188 arrests have been made since November 2014 in regard to water charge protests and within that number some individuals have been the subject of arrest on multiple occasions. The majority of arrests made relate to public order offences and breaches of section 12 of the Water Services Act, although there have been arrests for more serious offences.”

She also said Operation Mizen — set up by gardai to monitor anti-water rallies among protests — was not putting surveillance on TDs or senators.

“The Garda Síochána must take whatever appropriate measures it considers necessary to facilitate those who want to protest peacefully and to ensure public safety where necessary,” she told the Dáil.

“The Garda Commissioner has made it clear to me that no public representative or member of the public is subject to technical or lawful interception by Operation Mizen.”