Seven water charge protesters, including Paul Murphy TD, Kieran Mahon, Michael Murphy, Michael Banks, Frank Donaghy, Ken Purcell, and Scott Masterson, appeared before Dublin Circuit Criminal Court regarding their upcoming trial. The defendants are accused of falsely imprisoning then Tánaiste Joan Burton and Karen O'Connell during a protest in Jobstown on November 15, 2014. The case was listed after the Director of Public Prosecutions raised concerns about a campaign and a rally scheduled for the weekend. Counsel for the accused informed the court that their clients would undertake not to speak about the trial at the rally. Judge Melanie Greally noted relief at this responsible position. The trial is scheduled to begin on April 24, with a jury to be selected. The court discussed the possibility of an enlarged jury panel if the trial exceeds the scheduled six weeks. The defendants face charges of false imprisonment, and the matter is currently at the pre-trial stage ahead of the scheduled hearing.
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has raised concerns that the constitutional process of trial by jury may be interfered with in the upcoming trial of water charge protesters. Anti-Austerity Alliance TD Paul Murphy (33), Dublin Councillor Kieran Mahon (39), Anti Austerity Alliance Councillor Michael Murphy (53), and four other men are due to stand trial next month on charges related to the alleged false imprisonment of then Tánaiste Joan Burton three years ago. The trial was discussed in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, where Sean Gillane SC, prosecuting, highlighted concerns regarding literature and a campaign surrounding the trial, which could potentially interfere with the jury process. The court heard that an event being billed as a national event was to be held in the capital this weekend, with activists and journalists expected to attend. Various lawyers for the defendants requested clarification from the DPP regarding any orders sought from the court. The matter was listed for further hearing tomorrow afternoon. The accused include Frank Donaghy (71), Ken Purcell (50), Michael Banks (46), and Scott Masterson (34), each facing charges arising from a water protest in Jobstown on November 15th, 2014. A second trial of six people accused of false imprisonment is scheduled for October 2, 2017, with a pre-trial date set for June 8, 2017. The final trial of five people accused of violent disorder is set for April 9, 2018, with a pre-trial date set for December 13, 2017.
Judge Melanie Greally addressed legal teams at a pre-trial hearing in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court regarding the upcoming trial of Anti-Austerity Alliance TD Paul Murphy, Dublin Councillor Kieran Mahon, and four other men. The defendants face charges arising from the alleged false imprisonment of then Tánaiste Joan Burton during a water protest in Jobstown on November 15, 2014. The judge warned that jury selection would be a "difficult exercise" due to potential sympathies for either side, instructing counsel to identify unsuitable jurors by the next pre-trial hearing on January 26. Prosecuting counsel Tony McGillicuddy noted that all defendants sought a second pre-trial hearing to reach consensus on these matters. The trial is scheduled to proceed as planned on April 24. The accused include Michael Murphy, Frank Donaghy, Ken Purcell, Michael Banks, and Scott Masterson. Additionally, the court noted that a second trial of six people accused of false imprisonment is due for October 2, 2017, with a pre-trial hearing on June 8, 2017. A final trial of five people accused of violent disorder is set for April 9, 2018, with a pre-trial date of December 13, 2017. The matter was adjourned to the next pre-trial date.
A trial date has been set for Anti‑Austerity Alliance TD Paul Murphy and 17 others charged with false imprisonment of then Tánaiste Joan Burton after a protest at Jobstown in 2014. The protest delayed Burton and her entourage for about two hours on 15 November 2014, as they left a graduation event at An Cosan Education Centre to travel by car to St Thomas' Church. The defendants, including Dublin Councillor Kieran Mahon (38), Anti‑Austerity Alliance Councillor Michael Murphy (50) and Paul Murphy (33), were grouped by Judge Melanie Greally according to the charges they face. The first group of four, including Paul Murphy, Michael Murphy and Mahon, will be tried on 24 April 2017, with a pre‑trial hearing on 7 December. A second group of six faces a trial on 2 October 2017, with a pre‑trial hearing on 8 June.
Judge Melanie Greally adjourned the matter to next October, when she will set dates for the trials of 19 defendants, including Anti-Austerity Alliance TD Paul Murphy and Alliance Councillor Michael Murphy, who are accused of falsely imprisoning former Tánaiste Joan Burton. The charges stem from a water charges protest in Jobstown in November 2014, where it is alleged violence broke out, delaying Ms Burton for approximately two hours. At the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, the Director of Public Prosecutions proposed dealing with the accused via three separate trials, a structure the judge previously ruled was necessary to avoid placing unrealistic demands on jurors. Defence counsel, including David Staunton BL and Peadar Ó Maolain BL, argued that their clients would be disadvantaged in the third trial because prosecution witnesses would have already been cross-examined twice, removing the element of surprise. Prosecuting counsel Tony McGillicuddy BL stated that scheduling the trials would inevitably disadvantage some parties. Before hearing submissions, Judge Greally warned that anyone recording proceedings on mobile phones could be removed from the courtroom and found in contempt of court. Several defendants, including Paul Murphy, were absent as their attendance had been previously excused due to work commitments. The court also noted related proceedings before the Children's Court. The matter was adjourned, not concluded.
A judge has given the 19 people accused of falsely imprisoning former Tanaiste Joan Burton one week to raise any issues they have with their trial listing. The accused include TD Paul Murphy and 18 others, including Councillors Kieran Mahon and Michael Murphy. Judge Melanie Greally had earlier ruled that the accused should have separate trials, stating that a joint trial would place unrealistic demands on jurors. Prosecutor Tony McGillicuddy told the court that the DPP proposed to try the first four accused together, followed by three groups of five. Two accused had formally objected to this listing. Lawyers for the accused said they could not point to any specific prejudice but would reserve the right to raise the issue again. The judge instructed that any objections must be written to the DPP within seven days, after which they would not be entertained.
At Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Judge Melanie Greally ruled that Anti-Austerity Alliance TD Paul Murphy and 18 other accused, including Dublin Councillor Kieran Mahon and Alliance Councillor Michael Murphy, must face separate trials on charges of false imprisonment, violent disorder, and criminal damage. The allegations stem from a water charges protest in Jobstown in November 2014, where it is alleged that violence delayed TD Joan Burton and her entourage for approximately two hours. Prosecutors argued that the 45-count indictment should be divided into manageable blocks, while the defence initially contested the court's jurisdiction to sever the case. Judge Greally determined she had the authority to alter the indictment, stating that trying all 19 defendants together would place unrealistic demands on jurors and exceed the physical capacity of the court complex. She ordered the accused be separated into groups relevant to the proposed evidence. The matter was adjourned to July 22 to allow for legal argument regarding the proposed groupings and to set trial dates. All accused were remanded on bail until that date.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Anti Austerity Alliance TD Paul Murphy, aged 32, and 18 other defendants faced charges of false imprisonment and violent disorder related to a water charges protest in Jobstown nearly 18 months earlier. The defendants, including Councillor Kieran Mahon (38) and Michael Murphy (50), indicated through their legal teams that they intend to plead not guilty and seek a trial date. They objected to a State application to sever the indictment for separate trials. Defences for Antoinette Kane (23) and Carol Purcell (56) were discussed, with Kane's counsel awaiting instructions after the birth of her child and Purcell's counsel seeking a section 4e application due to disputed facts. Judge Melanie Greally adjourned the case to later that afternoon to allow the defence teams to present their objections to severing the indictment. The hearing also noted that Ms.
At Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Judge Melanie Greally adjourned the case of Paul Murphy and 18 co-accused to May 3 for mention. The defendants face charges including false imprisonment of acting Tánaiste Joan Burton and Karen O'Connell, violent disorder, and criminal damage, arising from a protest in Jobstown in November 2014. Defence counsel requested the adjournment to review recent State correspondence regarding separate trials. The prosecution indicated it had sent written instructions and an indictment later than anticipated. Thomas Kelly (33) of Cushlawn Dale, Tallaght, was remanded in his absence after failing to attend court due to starting a new job as a commis chef. Judge Greally noted he had "seriously underestimated" his attendance obligations but granted leniency given the prosecution's generous attitude, remanding him to the same date as his co-accused. Antoinette Kane (23) of Cloonmore Park, Jobstown, was also remanded in her absence; her counsel stated he could not take instruction from her, who is due a baby in two weeks. A warrant was issued for Dylan Collins (20) of Bawnlea Green, Tallaght, who failed to answer his bail. Other accused include Keith Preston (36), Kieran Mahon (38), and Michael Murphy (50). The matter was adjourned, not concluded.
Dublin Circuit Criminal Court adjourned proceedings involving TD Paul Murphy and 18 others, including Keith Preston and Antoinette Kane, who face charges of false imprisonment and violent disorder. The allegations stem from a November 2014 water charges protest in Jobstown, where it is alleged that Tánaiste Joan Burton and Karen O'Connell were falsely imprisoned. Prosecuting counsel Tony McGillicuddy BL indicated the State intends to sever the indictment into up to four separate trials. He requested an adjournment until April 4 to allow time for the State to set out its reasons for severance in writing by March 18. Defence counsel Conor McKenna BL stated that Mr Murphy will contest the case but wishes to review the indictment before a trial date is set. Padraig Dwyer SC, representing Keith Preston, argued for a joint trial and requested the State's terms in writing. The court noted that Antoinette Kane is due a baby imminently and her attendance may be excused if medically unfit. Judge Melanie Greally adjourned the matter, with a trial date likely to be set next month.
Anti-Austerity Alliance TD Paul Murphy, 32, of Ballinteer, appeared at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court alongside 18 co-accused, including Alliance Councillor Michael Murphy, 50, of Ballyboden, and Dublin Councillor Kieran Mahon, 38, of Tallaght. The group faces allegations of falsely imprisoning Tánaiste Joan Burton and violent disorder during a water charges protest in Jobstown on November 15, 2014. Prosecution counsel Tony McGillicuddy BL requested that all accused be remanded to appear for arraignment on March 7, noting that some defendants seek trial dates while others require further disclosure. Judge Melanie Greally granted senior counsel to all accused except Cllr Mahon, who has not yet been assigned legal aid. The court remanded Mr Murphy and all co-accused on continuing bail to appear on Monday, March 7, for arraignment. The defence indicated they are anxious for further disclosure but intend to seek a trial date at the next occasion. The matter was adjourned.
The High Court has ruled that the criminal offence of 'offending modesty' under Section 18 of the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act 1935 is unconstitutional. Mr Justice Gerard Hogan declared the provision 'hopelessly vague' and inconsistent with Articles 15 and 40 of the Constitution, effectively striking it down. This decision impacts two applicants, Kevin McInerney and Brendan Curtis, who challenged the State and the DPP. Mr Curtis, of Martry, Kells, Co Meath, was awaiting trial for allegedly exposing himself at Camden Place, Dublin, in May. Mr McInerney, of Rathfarnham, Dublin 16, was convicted by the District Court in 2013 for allegedly masturbating in his car at Rathfarnham Shopping Centre in 2011 and sentenced to three months imprisonment. His appeal was adjourned by the Circuit Court pending the outcome of this High Court action. The judge agreed with the applicants that the offence lacked clear standards and invited arbitrary application. While the ruling invalidates the current statute, the judge noted that the Oireachtas may still legislate new offences addressing such conduct, provided they meet constitutional requirements for legal certainty.