Courts / Mayo / Report

Jemima Burke says trial 'like something in Middle Ages'

Summary

Jemima Burke appeared before the High Court to challenge a public order conviction obtained at Ballina District Court. Ms Burke alleged that her constitutional rights were breached due to the excessive haste of the original proceedings, claiming she was detained for two hours and tried within 55 minutes of release without legal representation or disclosure. She stated she was filming an inquest in Swinford, Co Mayo, when arrested, and argued that the garda's confiscation of her phone deprived her of probative evidence. The District Court judge had convicted her of one public order offence, with the other taken into consideration, and fined her €350. Ms Burke described the process as resembling something from the Middle Ages. The Director of Public Prosecutions, represented by Kieran Kelly BL, did not oppose the quashing of the conviction but argued the matter should be remitted to the District Court for a new hearing before a different judge to ensure a fair trial. Ms Justice Sara Phelan reserved judgment in the matter, meaning the case was adjourned and not concluded.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Jemima Burke says trial 'like something in Middle Ages'. Procedural stage: charge_or_pretrial

When:

• June 20 Incident
• 2025-05-22 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Public Order Stage Charge Or Pretrial

Related court reports

• Mayo man hit brother with shovel in protracted family dispute
• Man avoids jail for sending sinister cards after murder
• Man who stabbed home attacker in self defence is cleared of murder
• Murder trial jury ask judge about self defence and intent
• Jury begin deliberating in Mayo murder trial
• Murder accused entitled to defend himself in own home, defence tell jury

Read the original CNI report