Courts / Dublin / Report

Garda inspector denies making "agreement" with TD during Jobstown protest

Summary

The trial of Paul Murphy and six co-accused, including Dublin Councillors Michael Murphy and Kieran Mahon, continued at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The defendants have pleaded not guilty to falsely imprisoning Ms Burton and her advisor Karen O'Connell by restricting their personal liberty without consent at Fortunestown Road, Jobstown, Tallaght, on November 15, 2014. On the 12th day of the trial, Garda Inspector Derek Maguire denied making an agreement with Solidarity TD Paul Murphy to end the protest. While acknowledging that the Public Order Unit was withdrawn and a slow march resumed, Maguire stated this was a Garda tactical decision, not a negotiated agreement. He also denied recollection of specific conversations with Murphy, despite previous sworn statements suggesting otherwise. Video footage played in court showed protesters expressing animosity toward Murphy, with one shouting at him to "mind his own business." Defence counsel Sean Guerin SC argued that Murphy's actions, including calling for a vote on whether to keep Ms Burton, indicated an attempt to manage the crowd. Maguire testified that Ms Burton was removed from the church due to being assaulted with water balloons. The matter remains at the trial stage with no finalisation or sentence recorded.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Garda inspector denies making "agreement" with TD during Jobstown protest. Charges or matters: falsely imprisoning Ms Burton and her advisor Karen O'Connell by restricting their personal liberty without their consent at Fortunestown Road, Jobstown, Tallaght on November 15, 2014. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• November 15, 2014 Other
• 2017-05-15 Publication

Why: He said the public order unit "was pulled to the side because it was a tactic that hadn't worked and a slow march continued. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Public Order Stage Trial

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Read the original CNI report