Breaching bail not condoned

‘DISGRACEFUL’ COMMENT AIMED AT GOVERNMENT

DEPUTY John Brady has said that he does not condone the breaching of bail conditions, despite describing as ‘disgraceful’ the remanding in custody last week of two men who did exactly that.

Sean Doyle (66) 11 Sunnybank, Kilpedder and Eamon McGrath (60), 88 Killarney Heights, Bray, were remanded in custody last week in connection with charges of obstructing Irish Water in the installation of water meters at a number of locations, including Greystones and Killadreenan. Bray and Wicklow District Courts heard that Doyle and McGrath had been released on bail on on a number of conditions, including that they would not impede employees of Irish Water or GMC Sierra, on a previous occasion.

The two men remain in custody having not agreed to the bail conditions requested.

‘ The two men are behind bars because they refuse to comply with the terms of the bail conditions laid down,’ said Deputy Brady. ‘If the rollout of water meters was halted there would be no need for them not to comply to bail conditions.’

Last week Deputy Brady released a statement about the circumstances surrounding McGrath and Doyle.

‘It is disgraceful that two men have been remanded in custody for protesting against the now suspended water charges,’ said Deputy Brady. He said that the government has admitted that water charges are to be suspended.

‘ This would not have happened without demonstrations and protests against this unfair and unjust tax.’

Speaking on Monday, Deputy Brady said that he is not pointing the finger at the judge.

‘Ultimately it’s a political decision,’ he said. ‘ The judge is implementing the laws of the land in terms of water metering. My statement was aimed at the government.’ Deputy Brady said that if water metering wasn’t proceeding then none of the protesters would be in custody.

He said that he was not present for protesters shouting in court last week so could not comment on that.