A Co Cork woman with Crohn's disease is to sue the state over the introduction of water charges.

Elizabeth Hourihane of Maulbaun, Passage West claims a state asset has been handed over to Irish Water against the public interest.

She also fears another utility bill could leave her having to make decisions between food and water.

As a lay litigant she had sought a judicial review challenging the constitutionality of the Environment Minister's decision to set up Irish Water.

However she was advised by Ms Justice Marie Baker to restructure her case.

Outside court Elizabeth Hourihane told reporters she is concerned about what will happen to people who can't afford to pay water bills.

"I have the ability from time to time to earn some sort of money, if I do [so] from home. But there's an awful lot of people with disabilities [and] there's the elderly, that don't have the ability to earn a living," she said.