Cork court: Derek Blighe charged with harassing garda

Anti-immigration activist Derek Blighe was charged today with harassing a member of An Garda Síochána in a case where he allegedly video-recorded the guard and commented online – “He’s terrified now and afraid to leave his home.” 

Detective Sergeant Christopher Cahill testified at Cork District Court that 45-year-old Derek Blighe was involved with another man – not yet before the court – in a campaign of harassment of a named garda.

The charge against Derek Blighe of Curraghavoe, Mitchelstown, County Cork, states: “On dates between February 22 2023 and December 4 2023, he harassed (the garda) contrary to Section 10 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act.” 

Sergeant John Dineen said the Director of Public Prosecutions had given directions in the case stating that the case would proceed to trial by indictment at Cork Circuit Criminal Court but that the DPP would accept summary jurisdiction on a plea of guilty.

Frank Buttimer solicitor applied for a copy of the prosecution evidence, including online broadcasts, so that the defence could consider its position on a plea of guilty or not guilty.

There was no garda objection to bail on certain conditions, including his own bond of €500, signing on twice weekly at Fermoy garda station, reside at home at Mitchelstown address, have no contact directly or indirectly – including by social media – with the complainant or any witnesses, make no commentary on social media about the matter now before the court, and provide a mobile phone number at which he can be contacted at all times by gardaí.

Detective Sergeant Cahill arrested the accused at 7.20am today in Mitchelstown and charged him with harassing the garda. After caution he replied: “No comment.” 

When Det Sgt Cahill said the DPP would only accept summary disposal on a plea of guilty, Judge Mary Dorgan required to hear an outline of the allegations so that she could decide on the matter. After hearing them she said it was at the very high end for the district court but she did accept jurisdiction on the same terms, namely that the accused would plead guilty. Otherwise it will have to go to the circuit court.

Det Sgt Cahill said: 

“It is alleged that over a ten-month period from February to December 2023 the accused engaged in a campaign of harassment against a member of An Garda Síochána. This member was on duty at a public event in October 2022. Another male will also be charged but is not yet before the court. Mr Blighe was arrested by this garda member.

“His arrest was video-recorded and posted on Facebook… 

“In February 2023 it is alleged that the victim in this was walking from Cork District Court having given evidence in a separate case. He was approached by the accused and co-accused and a third person. He (Mr Blighe) was recording and live-streaming interactions. He was recorded by the accused and verbally abused by him. He (the garda) said he did not consent to being recorded.

“He was followed for a number of minutes and was afraid to get on the bus at the bus station in case his address would become known. The video-recordings were posted on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube with derogatory comments from him (Mr Blighe) about the victim. These were viewed over 7,000 times.

“It is alleged that the accused went on to post videos of himself talking about this injured party in April, August and December 2023. In one post he commented about the injured party, ‘He is terrified now and afraid to leave his home.’ 

“The injured party was distressed. It had a negative effect on himself and his family.” 

The defendant was remanded on bail to appear in court again on November 18.