Undertakings given by several Dublin residents not to assault, interfere with and intimidate workers installing water meters have been breached, the High Court has heard.
The undertakings were given in lieu of injunctions obtained by GMC Sierra, who claimed its employees have been assaulted and intimidated while installing water meters, on behalf of Bord Gáis, at various locations in Dublin.
Last week, the High Court granted interim injunctions restraining nine residents, or anyone with knowledge of the court order, from assaulting, harassing, intimidating, endangering or otherwise unlawfully interfering with or obstructing workers lawfully installing meters in Dublin city.
On Wednesday, the temporary injunctions against the nine were removed by Mr Justice Anthony Barr after the defendants gave undertakings not to breach the terms of the injunctions.
The undertakings were to remain in place pending the full determination of the dispute.
The judge, however, continued the orders against anyone else who has knowledge of or had been served with notice of the injunctions.
Today lawyers for GMC Sierra returned to the High Court and informed Mr Justice Max Barrett that seven of the nine defendants had been involved in an incident that amounted to a breach of the terms of the undertakings given to the court.
The seven defendants whom it is alleged have breached the order are Colin McGettrick, of Woodbine Park, Edenmore, Raheny; Derek Byrne of Streamville, Donaghmede; Steven Stout of Edenmore Avenue, Raheny; Michael Batty of Edenmore Avenue, Raheny; Audrey Clancy of Edenmore Avenue; Mark Egan of Tonlegee Drive, Coolock and Lisa O'Loughlin Leavey of Edenmore Park.
The company's lawyers were granted permission to bring a motion seeking that the seven be attached and brought to court for their alleged contempt of court.
The judge made the matter returnable to Monday.
Previously, Con Pendrid, a solicitor who told the court he represented the nine defendants, said his clients denied any allegation they were involved in any violence or intimidation against workers.
He said his clients would vigorously defend the allegations against them.
He also submitted the injunctions were unnecessary as anyone who was engaged in such activity was guilty of criminal offences and "can be arrested by the Garda Síochána".
GMC Sierra Ltd sought the orders because it said there had been serious intimidation and assaults on GMC Sierra's employees, including that workers were headbutted.
The incidents occurred when the workers were installing the meters on behalf of Bord Gáis at various locations in Dublin, including Raheny, Coolock and Kilbarrack.
The company also claimed that it was only a matter of time before somebody was badly injured.
Last Wednesday, the company's barrister Jim O'Callaghan SC said the company was happy to accept the undertakings, which were in the same terms as the injunction, given on behalf of the defendants.
Counsel also told the court the company had no problem with those exercising their constitutional right to a peaceful protest.
Waterford residents protest against water meters
Separately, residents in six housing estates on the outskirts of Waterford city are involved in a protest preventing the installation of water meters.
A number of residents in Ferrybank have been blocking the entrance to their estates since Monday.
A spokesperson for the Ferrybank Development Residents Group has said a representative from the water board has agreed to meet them next week.
The protesters said they do not want Irish Water to install the meters.
They said they are angry about what they see as double taxation, but also about water quality in the area.
Earlier this week, there were disturbances outside the city, as more than 100 residents protested at attempts to install water meters.
