FROM the golden heights of the Tamworth Country Music Festival to police charges - musician Luke O'Shea has done it all this week.
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O'Shea won three Golden Guitars at the festival on the weekend, but found himself facing a number of charges today after staging a protest at the Maules Creek Coal Mine in Boggabri.
O'Shea, 45, and his 71-year-old father Rick O'Shea, who grew up where the mine's pump is now located, were arrested and charged after Luke O'Shea allegedly locked himself to the pump that draws water for the mine from the Namoi River.
Police said officers attached to Barwon Local Area Command were called to the site about 9am today, after reports of protesters trespassing at the location.
The men were arrested a short time later and taken to Narrabri Police Station, where they were charged with enter enclosed land and remain on enclosed land. The younger man was also charged with hide tools to unlawfully influence person.
They have been granted bail to appear before Narrabri Local Court on Tuesday, February 24.
Police have urged anyone with information in relation to the incident to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au/ and reminded people crime should not be reported via police Facebook and Twitter pages.
The Whitehaven Coal Maules Creek Mine has sold its first coal, but protests continue to dog its operation.
The singer said he was not anti-mining, but said it was "idiocy" that the mining be allowed to go ahead.