Courts / Dublin / Report

High Court will rule in New Year on anti-water charge protestors legal aid application

Date
2014-12-09
Stage
Charge Or Pretrial
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

In December 2014 the High Court was set to decide in January on legal‑aid applications filed by anti‑water‑charge protesters John Darcy and Anthony Eccles. The men, who are also joined by other protesters, are accused of breaching court orders that prohibit interference with the installation of water meters by GMC Sierra in Dublin. They deny the allegations and argue that the state's refusal to provide legal aid to persons facing potential loss of liberty in non‑criminal proceedings contravenes the Irish Constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights. The court had adjourned the proceedings before Mr Justice Paul Gilligan, and after hearing submissions from both sides, Mr Justice Paul McDermott reserved his decision, to be delivered in January. The state, represented by Oisin Quinn SC, urged dismissal, while the protesters' counsel contended that the state's arguments were superficial and that the contempt proceedings were criminal in nature.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: High Court will rule in New Year on anti-water charge protestors legal aid application. Procedural stage: charge_or_pretrial

When:

Why: The company secured an additional order establishing 20m exclusions zones around its work stations because of the escalation of allegedly unlawful activity by protesters. CNI source report

Case subjects

Anthony Eccles

Applicant

Outcome: The men both both deny the allegations, which are the subject of proceedings that stand adjourned before Mr Justice Paul Gilligan.

John Darcy

Applicant

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • The High Court
  • High Court
Secondary Mention
Residence
  • Edenmore Park
  • Dublin
  • St Donagh's Road

Topics

Stage Charge Or Pretrial

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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