Courts / Kildare / Report
Ben Gilroy gets four-week sentence for contempt
Summary
Political activist Ben Gilroy was sentenced to a four-week suspended prison term after being found in contempt of court orders regarding the receivership of a Co Kildare stud farm. The proceedings were brought by joint receivers Mark Reynolds and Glenn Crann, who alleged Gilroy was centrally involved in events on August 28 and 31 last year when protesters forced security staff off the property. Gilroy, representing himself, denied the allegations, arguing he was merely an observer invited by Charles Allen and that the court orders were invalid. Mr Justice Seán Ryan rejected these arguments, ruling that Gilroy committed a flagrant and serious breach of injunctions against trespassing. The judge found Gilroy instrumental in creating a tense and dangerous situation, though he acknowledged other parties, including landowner Eugene McDermott and Mr Allen, had also played leading roles. Considering the land had been sold and the actions of Gardaí and security personnel, the judge determined a suspended sentence was appropriate, noting that actual imprisonment was not required. Gilroy was also ordered to pay the receivers' legal costs. He stated he would appeal the verdict to the Supreme Court. The judge dismissed Gilroy's request to recuse himself, noting his separate impeachment motions were unrelated to the court's proceedings.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Ben Gilroy gets four-week sentence for contempt. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- August 28 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2014-04-29 Publication
Why: The Judge, who said he understood Mr Gilroy had strongly held beliefs, but said that the rule of law must be enforced because other wise "there would be chaos. CNI source report
Case subjects
Applicant
Applicant
Places mentioned
- Supreme Court
Topics
Related court reports
- Alleged hostel at Lucknow must be vacated immediately, High Court rules
- High Court sets aside €6.9m judgement order made against stud farmer
- Dublin bus seeks orders preventing rival tour operator using green buses
- Auctioneers to be paid monies from horse trainer and wife, court hears
- Goffs auctioneers launch action over alleged sale of racehorse
- Judgement later this month in Gilroy contempt claim
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request