"At around 7pm on April 25, 2024, some protesters allegedly became involved in criminal activity, including setting fires and causing damage, and that some were said to have been intent on injuring gardaí at the scene. A Garda inspector told Bray District Court at an earlier sitting that the violence encountered on the night was relentless and prolonged, and that several Garda vehicles were damaged during the disturbance."
"It was said that windscreens were smashed, tyres were slashed, and that the incident amounted to alleged breaches of the Criminal Justice Public Order Act. At the latest hearing, the court heard that the trials will take at least six weeks, with extensive primary source evidence to be reviewed, including CCTV and mobile phone footage. One of the defendants' barristers, Gregory Murphy BL, noted that documentary juniors will also be needed."
The DPP requested a venue transfer because Wicklow lacks a court large enough to host the trial. Defendants' legal teams argued for the Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin due to capacity and accessibility. Gardaí responded to a large-scale public order incident at a proposed accommodation site in Newtownmountkennedy on April 25, 2024. Protesters allegedly set fires, caused damage, and attempted to injure gardaí; Garda vehicles were damaged, windscreens smashed and tyres slashed. Trials will last at least six weeks, involving extensive CCTV and mobile phone evidence, documentary juniors, 21 barristers and seven solicitors for defendants.
Read at Irish Independent
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