Man who threatened irish water meter installers with rifle released without charge

A 59-year-old man was released without charge in Clarecastle, Co Clare yesterday after being arrested for threatening water meter installers with a rifle.

The incident occurred yesterday morning at Quay Road in Clarecastle where a company contracted to install meters on behalf of Irish Water had been carrying out work in recent days.

The man allegedly parked his car over a hole where contractors were installing a meter, preventing them from continuing to work.

The man proceeded to brandish a firearm and threaten the two contractors, who stopped working and retreated to a safe area.

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

A follow-up search of the area failed to locate the firearm. However, gardaí and members of Clare Civil Defence carried out a search of the area alongside the River Fergus where they located the firearm in the water. The weapon was handed over to detectives and taken away for technical examination.