Courts / Longford / Report
Irish language rights independent of fair trial rights, lawyers for Queen's visit bomber say
Summary
The Court of Appeal has reserved its judgment in the appeal by Donal Billings, who was found guilty by the Special Criminal Court of possessing an explosive substance and making false bomb reports during Queen Elizabeth's 2011 State visit. Billings, sentenced to eight-and-a-half years' imprisonment by Mr Justice Tony Hunt, argues his Irish language rights were violated during the trial. Counsel Martin Giblin SC and Ronan Munro SC, arguing in Irish, contended that the lack of an Irish transcript and the untranslated Explosive Substances Act 1883 breached constitutional rights, independent of fair trial guarantees. They also argued the possession charge should have been dismissed due to insufficient evidence. The DPP's counsel, Garnet Orange SC, countered that the circumstantial evidence, including a bomb found on a bus referenced in Billings' threats, was compelling and that the State facilitated his use of Irish. The appeal, heard before President George Birmingham and colleagues, is the first case in the Court of Appeal conducted in Irish. The court has not yet delivered a decision, meaning the matter remains adjourned pending judgment.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Irish language rights independent of fair trial rights, lawyers for Queen's visit bomber say. Charges or matters: making false reports on May 16 and May 18, 2011, that bombs had been placed at Busáras and Sinn Féin's headquarters in Dublin and that two mortars were set for Dublin Castle. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Found guilty
When:
- May 16th, 2011 Incident
- May 16 Incident
- May 18, 2011 Incident
- May 20th Other
- May 16, 2011 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2019-01-16 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: making false reports on May 16 and May 18, 2011, that bombs had been placed at Busáras and Sinn Féin's headquarters in Dublin and that two mortars were set for Dublin Castle (Proven)
Finding: Found guilty
Outcome: Found guilty; Sentencing him to eight-and-a-half years imprisonment, Mr Justice Tony Hunt, presiding, said Billings was "perfectly entitled to hold a low opinion" of Queen Elizabeth and her visit to Ireland but was "not entitled to express such an opinion by engaging in criminality".
Places mentioned
- Special Criminal Court
- Court of Appeal
- The Special Criminal Court
- was made to Longford garda station
- Longford
Topics
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