Dublin refuse collections will resume this morning after anti-bin-charge pickets at local authority depots were called off last night. Tim O'Brien reports
The protesters warned, however, that "massive disruption to the service will be displayed again if the councils' policy of non-collection and the jailings doesn't stop" and that protests blocking collection lorries in some housing estates are to continue.
Clearing the backlog of up to 100,000 bins may take up to a week and public health officials have advised householders to "double bag" their refuse and store it in a dry location away from birds, dogs or vermin.
The Tánaiste, Ms Harney, and Minister for the Environment, Mr Cullen, warned yesterday of public health problems if waste remained uncollected. They said just 150 protesters were behind the disruptions.
Yesterday Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Co Council said its customers could bring their waste to the Ballyogan transfer station, while Fingal Co Council is to accept waste at its facility in Coolmine Industrial Estate. in efforts to clear the back log.
Dublin City and Dublin South County Councils said they would be advising households in advance of additional collections.
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions last night called for a two- week "moratorium" on further legal actions against protesters, and for protesters to confine themselves to activities within the law. ICTU also called for the protesters to desist from blockading bin lorries.
In a statement the protesters said that although the action would not resume this week, they would block access if legal moves against protesters continued. "The ball is now back in the court of the Government and the councils," they said.