Gardaí seized a firearm yesterday when a homeowner produced it during a confrontation with an Irish Water worker trying to install a meter.
The incident occurred at 9.20am at a house at Home Farm, Townparks, Ardee, Co Louth.
It’s understood the homeowner produced a shotgun after the worker came on to his property.
A Garda spokesman said no arrests had been made in relation to the incident and investigations are ongoing.
Minister for Communications Alex White this morning acknowledged the Government has been “behind the curve” in terms of public opinion in relation to water charges.
Mr White was speaking on Newstalk ahead of a national protest against the charge this weekend.
The Right2Water campaign yesterday announced details of local events planned for this Saturday “to highlight public opposition to planned water charges”.
More than 50 different events are planned in a range of locations all over the country.
Additional local events are being finalised, and a final list will be released available tomorrow.
“We have been behind the curve,” said Mr White. “I will agree with you that people have responded very strongly to this. We have, I think, tried to bite off too much, too quickly in relation to this project.”
The Economic Management Council is to discuss Irish Water tomorrow.
List of confirmed Right2Water protests and their starting points on Saturday, November 1st
Carlow, Liberty Tree, 2pm
Clare, Ennis, O’Connell Monument, 2pm
Clare, Shannon Town Centre
Cork, Bandon, Main Bridge, 12pm
Cork, Cork City, Library, Grand Parade, 2pm
Donegal, Ballyshannon, 2pm
Dublin, Ballyfermot, Civic Centre, 1pm
Dublin, Clondalkin, from County Council, 2.30pm
Dublin, Crumlin, Crumlin Shopping Centre, 1pm
Dublin, Greenhills, Greenhills Church, 1.30pm
Dublin, Ringsend, Ringsend Library, 12.30pm
Dublin, Blanchardstown, various community demonstrations convening at the Blanchardstown town centre, 1pm
Dublin, Tallaght, Dominican St Mary’s Priory, 11am
Dublin, Drimnagh, Galtymore Shops, 1pm
Dublin, Dun Laoghaire, Glasthule Dart Station, 1pm
Dublin, Artane/Edenmore, various meeting points, 11am
Dublin, Cabra, Cabra Bingo Hall, 12pm
Dublin, Finglas, Cappagh House, 11.30am
Dublin, Finglas, outside Finglas Village Bank of Ireland, 1pm
Dublin, Swords, Pavilions, 11.30am
Galway, Spanish Arch, 1pm
Kerry, Tralee, Horan Centre, 1pm
Kildare, Athy, The Arches, 1.45pm
Kildare, Newbridge, Ballymany shops, 2pm
Kildare, Naas, The Courthouse, 2pm
Kildare, Celbridge, Castletown Gates, 12pm
Kildare, Leixlip, Leixlip Fire Station, 2pm.
Kilkenny, The train station, 1.30pm
Limerick, Limerick City, Bedford Row, 2pm
Louth, Drogheda, O’Rahallaigh’s GAA club, 2pm
Louth, Dundalk, Fair Green, 2pm
Meath, Navan, Fair Green 2pm
Meath, Ashbourne, Arkle Statue, 2pm
Meath, Duleek Village, 12pm
Roscommon, Boyle, Royal Hotel Carpark, 1.30pm
Roscommon, Roscommon Town, The Mart, 2pm
Sligo, The GPO, 2pm
Waterford, Waterford City, Ballybricken Hill, 2pm.
Wexford, The Quay, New Ross, 2pm
Wicklow, Bray, Three assembly points: Lidl, Dell on Boghall Road or St Fergals Church, 2pm
Wicklow, Greystones, Civic offices, Mill Road, 2pm
Wicklow, Wicklow County Council, 12.30pm
Wicklow, Arklow, Fr Murphy Monument, Parade Ground, 1.45pm
