Outgoing Independent TD Joan Collins has been cleared of failing to comply with a garda direction to leave the scene of a water charge protest in Dublin.

The judge dismissed the case against her after hearing evidence in relation to her summons and the direction given by gardaí last April.

Banners in support of the so-called 'CRUMLIN 11' were erected outside the court on day one of this trial.

The group was whittled down to ten when one of them did not show up, and reduced to nine yesterday when the case against Dublin Councillor Patrick Dunne was dismissed.

It now stands at eight after Judge Aeneas McCarthy decided the State had not raised the required standard to support a case against outgoing TD Joan Collins.

The public order charges were brought after a crew was prevented from installing a water meter on Parnell Road in Dublin.

Gardaí instructed the group to leave the area, but Ms Collins' barrister argued there was no evidence to suggest she was involved in the use of threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour and was entitled to her right to protest even if there are a "few rotten apples in the basket".

A similar application is now being heard for one of the remaining protesters.