Courts / Dublin / Report

Garda "came forward" to strike RTE cameraman, reporter tells trial

Date
2019-12-10

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Dublin City

County
Dublin

Summary

During a 2016 protest on Cathedral Street, Garda Sean Lucey (42) was accused of striking RTÉ cameraman Colm Hand with a baton and then striking Hand in the groin. The incident occurred while RTÉ reporters Colman O'Sullivan and Hand were moving across a Garda line to avoid confrontation between anti‑racism protesters and a far‑right group. O'Sullivan testified that a Garda advanced from the line and hit Hand's camera before striking him. Hand reported being hurt and the pair left the area. Garda Michael Dibley, David Laird and others from the public order unit described the situation as hostile, with Gardaí outnumbered and under pressure from protestors. The trial heard that the Garda unit was tasked with preventing protesters from reaching supporters of the far‑right group and that batons were used only after other means failed. The case is pending in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Sean Lucey pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Garda "came forward" to strike RTE cameraman, reporter tells trial. Charges or matters: one count of assault causing harm to Colm Hand at Cathedral Street, Dublin city centre on February 6, 2016 and to damaging his camera. Procedural stage: trial

When:

February 6, 2016 Incident
2019-12-10 Publication

Why: The jury heard that a cameraman is vulnerable in these type of public order crowd situations because he has one eye in the camera eye piece and the other eye closed to focus. CNI source report

Case subjects

Sean Lucey

Accused

Charges: one count of assault causing harm to Colm Hand at Cathedral Street, Dublin city centre on February 6, 2016 and to damaging his camera (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty