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Garda tells Jobstown trial she did not "manhandle" TD

Summary

Garda Fionnuala Whelan testified at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court during day 19 of the trial of Paul Murphy, Frank Donaghy, Ken Purcell, Michael Banks, and Scott Masterson. All five defendants, along with three others, have pleaded not guilty to falsely imprisoning then Tánaiste Joan Burton and her adviser Karen O'Connell on November 15, 2014, at Fortunestown Road, Jobstown, Tallaght. Whelan described the atmosphere as hostile and volatile, stating she feared for her safety and that of the women. She recounted being pushed, kicked, and verbally abused while attempting to escort the pair through a crowd. Whelan identified Murphy, Masterson, Donaghy, and Kieran Mahon among protesters sitting on the road. She stated Murphy resisted her attempt to remove him and was held down by others. Defense counsel Sean Guerin SC suggested the situation was stable until Whelan "manhandled" Murphy, a claim she rejected. Whelan noted that Murphy's shirt was pulled off during the struggle but stated her priority was safety. She also described Michael Murphy as appearing to control events, advising protesters to stop abuse to avoid negative publicity. The matter remains at the trial stage with no findings, sentences, or finalizations recorded.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Garda tells Jobstown trial she did not "manhandle" TD. Charges or matters: falsely imprisoning Ms Burton and her adviser 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 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
• November 15, 2014 Other
• 2017-05-24 Publication

Why: Asked by Mr Guerin what she had done about the fact that the TD's shirt was pulled off him during the struggle, she said she didn't do anything because her priority was her safety and the safety of the two alleged victims. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial

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Read the original CNI report