Courts / Dublin / Report
Ben Gilroy given suspended sentence after describing judge as "satanic cult member"
Summary
Ben Gilroy, an anti‑eviction campaigner, received a one‑month suspended prison sentence for criminal contempt of court after he posted a video on social media in which he described the judge presiding over a contempt case involving a Dublin couple as a "satanic cult member" and claimed the Irish Constitution was "redundant." In the clip, Gilroy also suggested that the judge had "vacated his oath of office," urged people to use the Defence of the Dwelling Act, and said they should "just wait for anyone coming through the door and blow their heads off with a gun." The High Court judge, Tony O'Connor, found the remarks to be contempt and adjourned the matter to allow Gilroy to respond. When the case returned, Gilroy apologized and said the remarks were "out of character." The judge imposed the suspended sentence, which will remain in force for 30 months on the condition that Gilroy does not repeat such statements.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Ben Gilroy given suspended sentence after describing judge as "satanic cult member". Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision
When:
- 2018-05-03 Publication
Places mentioned
- High Court
- Hamlet Avenue
- Cheiftan's Way
Topics
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