Updated 13.15
Water meter protesters at one estate in Cork are claiming victory after Irish Water removed meters there this morning.
It follows a five-week standoff between workers and residents at Ashbrook Heights in Togher.
Six meters were previously installed at the estate, this morning they were removed.
However, Irish Water has said they are not removing any boundary boxes, insisting the meters have been taken out to facilitate remedial work to footpaths damaged during installation.
The organisation claims they were prevented from completing footpath works during the initial installation phase, by protesters.
In a statement, Irish Water says "In the Ashbrook Estate in Cork, Irish Water is today performing permanent reinstatement works to pathways and surrounding areas, as planned. There are six boundary installations impacted. Five meters in new boundary boxes have been removed temporarily for inspection and will be re-installed in due course as part of the completion of works in the estate".
"No meter (boundary) boxes have been removed. Residents were informed that Irish Water was doing this" it adds.
But these Ashbrook Heights residents told RedFM it is a win:
Residents say they held a vote amongst their group, after which they decided to allow the boundary boxes to remain.
@fliuch.org, a group opposed to water charges, sent Newstalk these pictures as proof the meters were removed
Pictures via @FliuchOff on Twitter
Pictures via @FliuchOff on Twitter
These developments come after talks between residents and representatives from Irish Water in recent days, following weeks of protests.
Protests have also been taking place in parts of Dublin over the past month, after demonstrations began in Cork five weeks ago.
