Courts / Dublin / Report

Councillor was "shouting to guards with suggestion", defence barrister tells witness

Summary

During a trial in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, defence barrister Raymond Comyn challenged Garda Lorna Loughney's testimony about Councillor Michael Murphy's conduct at a 2014 water‑charges protest. Comyn argued that Murphy was not asking the crowd whether Joan Burton should be given sanctuary in a church, but was instead shouting to the guards with suggestions on how to handle the situation. He cited video footage showing Murphy speaking to the guards, not to the crowd, and pointed out that Loughney's statements did not mention a sanctuary question. Loughney admitted she had not included such a question in her first statement but recalled hearing Murphy say it. Comyn also disputed Loughney's claim that Murphy used a loud‑speaker outside the church, noting the footage did not show him with one. The case remains before Judge Melanie Greally and a jury.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Councillor was "shouting to guards with suggestion", defence barrister tells witness. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• November 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
• January 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2017-05-22 Publication

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial

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Read the original CNI report