Courts / Dublin / Report

Judge charges jury in Shannon protest trial

Date
2020-10-23

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 5 May 2016, 78‑year‑old Colm Roddy and 60‑year‑old Dave Donnellan were charged with criminal damage for cutting a perimeter fence and painting crucifixes on a runway at Shannon Airport. The judge, Karen O'Connor, explained that a defendant's belief that their actions were lawful does not need to be justified if it is honestly held. She told the jury that the defendants claimed their protest was to oppose the use of the airport by US military, arguing that such presence made the airfield a legitimate target under international law. The judge instructed jurors to decide whether the defendants' belief was honestly held and whether their actions were reasonable in the circumstances they perceived. The prosecution was required to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendants' excuse was not lawful. The unnamed accused pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Judge charges jury in Shannon protest trial. Charges or matters: criminal damage without lawful excuse of the fence and runway at Shannon Airport on May 5, 2016. Procedural stage: trial

When:

May 5, 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
2020-10-23 Publication

Why: She said that the law allows for a defence where a defendant acted in order to protect himself or another and his actions were reasonable in the circumstances as he believed them to be. Defence account reported by CNI