AN Irish Water worker was bitten outside his family home in the latest example of the intimidation tactics used by those demonstrating against the introduction of water charges.

Environment Minister Alan Kelly yesterday condemned the attack saying anti-water charges demonstrators had "crossed the line".

The shocking attack comes as one of the country's most senior gardaí said resources were being taken away from addressing Dublin's escalating drug problem in order to police anti-water charges protests.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny also revealed he turned down an offer of more garda protection despite being told of concerns for his safety.

And senior sources also say gardaí identified a "nasty element" with links to republicans, mostly based in north Dublin, within the anti-water charges campaign.

The Irish Independent understands gardaí are investigating an attack on an Irish Water worker who was recently assaulted outside his family home in Limerick after an exchange with a protester.

During the savage attack the worker was bitten by the demonstrator. The worker does not want his identity revealed over safety concerns for himself and his family.

Outrageous

Mr Kelly said he spoke with senior Irish Water officials about the incident, which he said was "outrageous" and "unacceptable".

He said the majority of the workers were unemployed before they were contracted to work for Irish Water.

"At the end of the day they are workers and they have a job to do, they've an income to earn, families to feed," he said.

"At least they are going out there and contributing to society and working. I abhor the behaviour of some people, a minority of people, in relation to how they are being treated."

Mr Kelly described claims by Sinn Féin that water meter installation had been stopped in Dublin as "completely ridiculous and false".

Yesterday, the Taoiseach told an Oireachtas committee gardaí were "anxious" to give him more security over fears he will be targeted by protesters.

"They're available if they're required," he said. "I didn't feel they were necessary and I don't think they're necessary now either."

The Taoiseach criticised the protesters who called President Michael D Higgins a "midget parasite" when he was visiting a school. "I consider that to be disgraceful behaviour and I admire the President's courage and the method by which he dealt with that," he said.

Mr Kenny said that security was a matter for the President's office to discuss with An Garda Síochána but said that he would assume that it would be provided if requested.

At a separate Oireachtas hearing, Assistant Garda Commissioner John Twomey said already dwindling garda resources were being deployed to police protests at expense of other areas of policing such drug crime.

"Water protests do require resources," Mr Twomey told the Oireachtas Justice Committee.

Irish Independent