Courts / Westmeath / Report

'I the man, created by God': man is jailed for contempt over heritage area

Summary

Daragh Coyne was committed to Mountjoy prison by Mr Justice Anthony Barr after being found in contempt of High Court orders that prohibited him from interfering with lands designated as a National Heritage Area (NHA). The High Court had obtained injunctions from the National Parks and Wildlife Service preventing Coyne from carrying out any unauthorised works on or interfering with the NHA in Milltownpass Bog, Co. Westmeath. Coyne, who denied any wrongdoing, repeatedly challenged the court's jurisdiction and demanded to be called by his first name, but the judge insisted on addressing him as Mr Coyne or defendant. Coyne was given the opportunity to give a sworn undertaking to comply with the orders or face imprisonment; he refused, and the judge committed him to prison until he purges his contempt. The case will return to the court in four weeks.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'I the man, created by God': man is jailed for contempt over heritage area. Charges or matters: contempt of court. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• 2020-06-11 Publication

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Read the original CNI report