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Representatives should have "walked away", garda tells Jobstown trial

Summary

The trial of seven men accused of falsely imprisoning former Tánaiste Joan Burton and her adviser Karen O'Connell continues in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Paul Murphy, Michael Murphy, Kieran Mahon, Frank Donaghy, Ken Purcell, Michael Banks, and Scott Masterson have all pleaded not guilty to restricting the women's liberty without consent at Fortunestown Road, Jobstown, Tallaght, on November 15, 2014. The defendants allegedly trapped the pair in a car and a garda jeep for up to three hours during an anti-water charges protest. On day 21, Detective Garda Richard Hansen testified that the two Murphys were in control of the crowd and should have walked away from the escalating situation. He described the event as nearly a riot, noting that people were being assaulted. The jury reviewed video footage showing a vote taken among protesters on whether to keep or march the minister out. While defense counsel argued that Paul Murphy's actions constituted passive resistance, the witness maintained they were acts of aggression. The trial is ongoing before Judge Melanie Greally and a jury.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Representatives should have "walked away", garda tells Jobstown trial. 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 15, 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2017-05-26 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial

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Read the original CNI report