12 people kept in prison by Judge for Mayday public order offences

by law abiding citizen Wed May 05, 2004 14:31

Well deserved, break the law of the land and you deserve to pay the consequences. Judging by the Irish times yesterday the biggest problem that they will face is the lack of a descent cappuccino.

by Reporter Wed May 05, 2004 14:38

Justice Coughlan has been denying bail because of the "seriousness of the charges". Yet, this morning, he bailed people accused of cocaine dealing, domestic violence, and one person with a previous conviction for assault on a garda. Methinks he just doesn't like radical protesters.

Those remanded in custody will be back in court on May 12th (ironically the anniversary of James Connolly's execution).

by Illegal Eagle Wed May 05, 2004 14:39

Whatever happened to "Innocent until proven guilty"?
This is a disgrace. Untried people refused bail while judges can do what they like without having to face the consequences.

by Lawbreaker Wed May 05, 2004 14:40

The thing is if you break the law in this country you do not necessarily face the consequences. It depends on your class and whether or not you challenge the establishment.

Will any of the Gardai be prosecuted for their action on may day? Particularly the Agent Provecateurs?

If you are a paedophile judge you get away.

If you are a drunk driver FF TD you get away

If you are a corrupt county official or councillor you get away

Yet if you are engaged in peaceful protest such as the bin tax protests you find yourself locked up in the joy within hours.

This is the nature of the law in a capitalist class society. It will always be this way until we see huge transformation in our society.

by unspun Wed May 05, 2004 14:43

There are far more pressing matters than a few lose ends from last weekend. They'll get out when daddy phones his government friends.

Time to move on and plan for the Bush visit, a few school kids playing political prisoner, should not distract us from the main event

by T Wed May 05, 2004 14:45

A number of years ago there was a referendum about the right to refusal of Bail.

Politicians at the time assured the public that this new law was required for the most serious of offences and that it would only be used in very special circumstances and only for when very serious crime has been committed.

This is clearly not the case here.

This is another example of the State using any law it can to enforce it's will.

Two years ago, we had the case of the litter laws, used against activists protesting outside the Israeli embassy.

The recent poster ban in Dublin was introduced on the grounds of solving a litter problem. Again an example of a law intended for something minor been used to curb and restrict major citizen's rights like civil liberties.

In the case of the Bin Tax, we have seen the government changed the law to suit themselves when they were defeated on it. This was the public health law/act which made it a duty of the government to collect waste from householders for public health reasons.

There are many more examples, if others would care to add.

by conor (wsm personal capacity) Wed May 05, 2004 14:45

My under standing is that most offences are under sections 6 and 8 of public ordre offence - max sentence about 1 month - at this rate they could have served their sentences before they are sentenced or found guilty! Totally over the top and designed to scare people off teh streets in teh run up to Bush

Conor

by reader Wed May 05, 2004 16:25

The Irish Times is a subscription only newspaper, and me and other people don't subscribe, and since we don't live in Ireland, it seems were missing a lot of the coverage, attitude, and effects.
Would it be possible, if people would continue helping the indymedia ireland project by donating, (so that the extra pressure of the bandwith can be afforded)and use the "other media updates" weekly corner of the newswire for C&P of all mainstream Irish press on MayDay.
It would only take a few minutes for anyone keen to delodge "the natural party of gov." from gov. in the next year.
(if anyone is into that)

by libertarian Wed May 05, 2004 16:25

you claim this is well deserved. What about this judge that has gotten off scot free recently in regards to child molestation. What about the fact that Beverely Cooper Flynn only has her party to worry about despite the fact she should face a prison sebtance. What about Charlie Haughey, Bertie Ahern, Berlisconi, and every other high ranking official who lines his pockets from the degradation of the marginalised in society. Every world leader of each state in Europe should be up in front of the Human Rights court for allowing children to die from malnutrition every minute. Capitalism kills and destroys the social and environmental structures of each country forced to open its market under the WTO 1s fundamentalist marketeers. These people who are in Cloverhill are real global citizens abiding a law called JUSTICE asnd should be praised and commended for tackling the state. If you call yourself a law abiding citizen then hunt down the real killers and criminals of this world.

by capitalismrules Wed May 05, 2004 16:37

If you want to read the Irish Times online, try Googleing "irish times password nuim", or something like it.

by shinner Wed May 05, 2004 18:03

"you claim this is well deserved. What about this judge that has gotten off scot free recently in regards to child molestation"

Not true. Don't support the Government, but get it right!

by Reporter Wed May 05, 2004 18:14

from RTE.ie

12 granted bail after May Day protests
05 May 2004 16:57

Twelve men charged with public order offences arising from incidents during May Day protests at the Phoenix Park in Dublin have been granted bail by the High Court. 

The High Court applications followed an earlier refusal of bail by Judge John Coughlan at Cloverhill District Court. 

This afternoon, Mr Justice Nicholas Kearns granted bail to all 12 on condition that they made cash lodgements, ranging from 100 to €500, and sign on three times a week at their local garda stations.

Gardaí had not objected to bail in the District or High Court.

Twelve men have been remanded in custody for another week at Cloverhill District Court in Dublin on public order charges following Saturday evening's May Day protest in Dublin.

Judge John Coughlan refused them bail because of what he described as the seriousness of the offences. Another six men were remanded on bail.

Families and friends of the twelve who were remanded in custody said they were outraged that the men were not given bail given what they described as the minor nature of the charges.

by Me Wed May 05, 2004 18:14

They've been granted bail after an application to the High Court.
Don't know anymore details.