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Armed gardaí were at water charges protest, trial hears
Summary
The trial of seven men accused of falsely imprisoning former Tánaiste Joan Burton and her advisor Karen O'Connell continues at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Solidarity TD Paul Murphy, South Dublin Councillors Michael Murphy and Kieran Mahon, and Frank Donaghy, Ken Purcell, Michael Banks, and Scott Masterson have all pleaded not guilty to the charges. The alleged incident occurred on November 15, 2014, at Fortunestown Road, Jobstown, Tallaght, where the women were reportedly held in vehicles for approximately three hours during a water charges protest. On day 14, Garda Brian O'Connor testified that he was dragged and punched by protesters while protecting the women. He stated that armed gardaí were present at the scene, leading to an order for plain-clothed officers to leave. The jury heard that the women were escorted through a human cordon to a Garda Jeep amidst aggressive crowds. The trial is ongoing before Judge Melanie Greally and a jury, with no findings, sentences, or finalisations recorded at this procedural stage.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Armed gardaí were at water charges protest, trial hears. 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; falsely imprisoning. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- November 15, 2014 Other
- 2017-05-17 Publication
Why: Gardaí were ordered to leave a water charges protest because some of them were armed, the trial of seven men accused of falsely imprisoning former Tánaiste Joan Burton has heard. CNI source report
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: 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; falsely imprisoning (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Accused
Charges: 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; falsely imprisoning (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
- Fortunestown Road
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Kingswood Heights
- Tallaght
- Whitechurch
- Whitechurch Way
- Dublin
- Carrigmore Drive
Topics
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