A man was arrested today arrested following an incident in Co Clare in which water meter installers were allegedly threatened with a rifle.

The 59-year-old man was arrested at Quay Road in Clarecastle where a company contracted to install the meters on behalf of Irish Water has been carrying out work in recent days.

It is understood workers had dug a hole in front of two properties yesterday and were installing two meters in a hole when they were confronted by the man. He then reportedly moved his car over the hole, preventing installers from completing their work.

The contractors returned to complete their work early today when, it is alleged, the man approached them with a rifle. The workers then left the immediate area.

Armed detectives arrived at the scene and arrested a man. He was taken to Ennis Garda station where he was detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act.

Members of Clare Civil Defence later recovered a rifle from the River Fergus. It was taken away by gardaí for technical examination.

The man was released without charge shortly after 7pm.

Gardaí confirmed that a file on the matter will be sent to the DPP in due course.