A legal action to potentially jail nine water protesters who are allegedly obstructing the installation of meters in north Dublin has been put back until next month.
A huge crowd of supporters packed in to the High Court for the case which is brought by meter installers GMC Sierra Ltd.
Eight of the nine refused to give an undertaking to abide by the strict terms of a court order not to harass, assault, intimidate or otherwise obstruct workers.
They were prepared to give undertakings to engage in lawful conduct but Mr Justice Paul Gilligan would not accept that and described it as a play on words.
He told the protesters they can protest but they cannot obstruct installation works.
Cahir O'Higgins is the solicitor for the eight:
One protester Audrey Clancy, who supports the group that appeared in court, voiced her concerns: