Water meter installers are alleging that a worker was struck by a van driven by a known protester in north Dublin last week.

There were boos in the High Court and shouts of 'that's not us' when Jim O'Callaghan SC for GMC Sierra read out claims that demonstrators in Cabra blocked emergency services at the scene.

The company says during the installation works, one employee was kneed in the face - while another was followed to a DART station in a sinister manner.

The court heard claims it took one work vehicle five hours to travel 500 metres.

Contempt proceedings against four demonstrators who are alleged to have breached an order providing for a 20 metre exclusion zone around the works will be heard on Monday.

Mr Justice Paul Gilligan turned down a request by the protesters for a longer adjournment because they refused to give undertakings to comply with the exact terms of court orders stopping interference with meter installations.

Protesters say they have acted peacefully.

Micheál O'Higgins SC, wanted attachment and committal proceedings against his clients to be put on hold until after next month's legal challenge to a finding that they are not entitled to legal aid, despite the risk to their liberty if they are found to be in contempt.

He also said his clients had been vilified in the press and that this had not been helped by moving today's hearing to the Criminal Courts of Justice.

The judge said the demonstrators should not read anything into that.

Their solicitor is Cahir O'Higgins.