The High Court has lifted an injunction against nine water charge protesters after they gave an undertaking not to engage in any unlawful activity such as obstruction, assault or harassment of meter installation workers in Dublin.
However, the court has continued a general injunction against all others who engage in such activity.
Injunction proceedings were brought last Friday against nine people who protested against the installation of water meters in Dublin.
The court granted an interim injunction restraining seven men and two women from assaulting, harassing, intimidating, endangering or otherwise unlawfully interfering with or obstructing workers lawfully installing meters in Dublin city.
Their solicitor told the court they had a democratic right to protest and would deny taking part in any unlawful activity and would be defending the case vigorously.
Solicitor Con Pendrid asked the court to lift the injunction, saying it was "prolific and unnecessary".
"It is like a declaration that no one else should come and do it," he said.
He said the actions outlined in the injunction were criminal acts and anyone committing them could be arrested. Therefore, he said, it was unnecessary to continue the injunction.
His clients had a right to protest and would give an undertaking to the court not to take part in any illegal actions.
He said they were engaged in peaceful protest and had no intention of committing any offence and would say the workers were "agent provocateurs".
Lawyers for GMC/Sierra Ltd had claimed in court that it was only a matter of time before someone was badly injured during "violent protests".
The court heard that nine defendants were all part of an organised campaign of intimidation and harassment against workers of GMC/Sierra Limited, which had been contracted by Bord Gáis to install meters throughout the country.
Senior Counsel Jim O’Callaghan said it was necessary to continue the injunction as Mr Pender could not give an undertaking on behalf of all protesters who were not before the court.
He said the injunction was granted last week after the judge heard an hour of evidence including video recordings and had concluded there was "clear evidence of unlawful conduct".
Mr Justice Barr said he would accept the undertaking from the nine defendants but would continue the injunction against any others who had notice of it or were given notice of it.
A protest took place outside the Four Courts before and after the hearing. The case returns to court on 15 October.
