Courts / Dublin / Report

TD's suggestion to gardai broke impasse at Jobstown protest, trial hears

Summary

At the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, the trial continues for Paul Murphy TD, South Dublin Councillors Michael Murphy and Kieran Mahon, along with four other men, who have pleaded not guilty to the alleged false imprisonment of former Tánaiste Joan Burton and her advisor Karen O'Connell at Fortunestown Road, Jobstown, Tallaght on November 15, 2014. The charges allege that the defendants falsely imprisoned the two women by restricting their personal liberty without their consent. During the trial, Sergeant Brian Boland testified that the Public Order Unit faced significant resistance from protesters, describing the situation as the most hostile and intimidating he had encountered since 2002. He stated that a suggestion by Paul Murphy to the gardaí led to the breaking of an impasse during the protest, allowing the garda Jeep to be freed. However, the situation did not fully resolve as protesters continued to block the road. The trial is ongoing before Judge Melanie Greally and a jury.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: TD's suggestion to gardai broke impasse at Jobstown 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. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• November 15, 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2017-05-17 Publication

Why: Sgt Boland said he was just calling it as he saw it and because of the sheer number of people present on the day it was "the most hostile and the most intimidating" incident he could remember. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Public Order Stage Trial

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Read the original CNI report