Anglo Irish Bank Protesters to Plead Not Guilty

dublin | anti-capitalism | press release Monday January 17, 2011 15:55 by éirígí PRO - éirígí

Seven éirígí activists to stand trial for Anglo Irish Bank protest

Anglo Irish Bank Protesters to Contest all Charges as Trial Commences
As the trial of seven éirígí activists charged with a variety of offences
arising from a peaceful protest at Anglo Irish Bank Headquarters in Dublin on
May 15 last year is set to commence tomorrow [Tuesday], all seven are to plead
not guilty and vigorously contest all the charges laid against them.

The seven accused – Ursula Ní Shionnain, Daithi Ó Riain, Robbie Fox, Eoin Ó Se, John
McCusker, Pádraig Ó Meiscill and Daithí Mac An Mháistír – are scheduled to
appear in the Criminal Courts of Justice in Parkgate Street tomorrow morning at
10.30am to face charges of trespass and a variety of public order offences.
Speaking in advance of the trial, cathaoirleach [chairperson] éirígí Brian
Leeson said the trial was an attempt to intimidate and criminalise those
engaged in peaceful protest.

Leeson said: “The fact that the only people to face trial in relation to the
collapse of Anglo Irish Bank are these seven activists is a damning indictment
of what passes for justice in the Twenty-Six County state. It is further
proof, if any was needed, that the institutions of this state act only in the
interest of the business and political class.

“The only thing these activists are guilty of was to protest against the greed
and corruption of the establishment, the pumping by the state of tens of
billions of euros into bailing out the banks and the savage cutbacks being
imposed on essential frontline services and working class families throughout
the country.”

Leeson added: “Despite the dignified and entirely peaceful nature of the protest
in which four of the activists unfurled a banner from the roof of the foyer of
Anglo Irish Bank headquarters in Stephens Green, the Gardaí forcibly removed,
arrested and assaulted them. The other three activists were subsequently
arrested for trying to assist their colleagues who were being assaulted by
Gardaí.

“The violent actions of the Gardaí on the day and the laying of these spurious
charges against these activists is just another attempt by the state to
intimidate and criminalise those engaged in peaceful protest while the bankers
and politicians walk away scot free, as do the Gardaí who assaulted these
activists.”

Leeson concluded: “All seven will be pleading not guilty and will be vigorously
contesting all charges. éirígí is urging people to come along to the Criminal
Courts of Justice tomorrow morning to show their support for the activists
involved and to defend the right to engage in peaceful protest free from the
bully boy tactics and thuggish behaviour of the Gardaí and the Twenty-Six
County state in general.” ENDS