Protestors arrested and charged with trespassing to cause thousands of euro worth of criminal damage at Cork's Collins Aerospace branch

Two young people protesting in support of Palestine were arrested and brought before Cork District Court today charged with trespassing to cause thousands of euro worth of criminal damage at Collins Aerospace in Cork.

30-year-old Myles Murphy of Ravenswood, Carrigaline, County Cork, and 27-year-old Kellie McConnell of Toner House, Sidmonton Place, Bray, County Wicklow appeared in court today on the same charge.

Both of them are charged with committing an offence of burglary contrary to the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001, at Collins Aerospace, Penrose Wharf, Penrose Quay, Cork, on Monday October 13.

The particulars of the charge state that having entered a building as a trespasser they did commit an arrestable offence, to wit criminal damage therein, Detective Garda Martin McSweeney outlined the allegations in the case against the two defendants.

He alleged that on Monday, October 13, before 7am they broke into Collins Aerospace, Penrose Wharf, Penrose Quay.

“It is alleged that the accused entered the third floor of the building using a ladder and caused extensive damage to the property. Various slogans were spray painted on numerous walls.

“Monitors and windows were smashed, causing thousands of euro of damage.

“The fire brigade had to be utilised when the two accused refused to come down from a third floor ledge. Gardaí had to use negotiators to convince them to remove themselves from the ledge.

“Both were subsequently taken down with the assistance of a fire brigade hoist and they were conveyed to Mayfield Garda Station,” Det. Garda McSweeney said.

Sergeant Aisling Murphy said there was no objection to bail in the cases and that a number of conditions were required. Solicitor Aoife Buttimer confirmed that the conditions required by the prosecution were agreed by the state.

They included the following: Their own bond of €500, sign at their local garda station on Monday, Wednesday and Friday of each week, be in possession of a mobile phone to be contactable by gardaí, have no contact direct or indirect with any employee of Collins Aerospace, stay away from that premises and make no commentary whatsoever, including on social media, on matters before the court.

ADJOURNMENT

The cases were adjourned until December 2 to allow time for directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Ms Buttimer applied for free legal aid in respect of one of the defendants, Myles Murphy who said he is on Jobseekers Allowance and this application was granted. Kellie McConnell is working in Wicklow town and she was required to stay out of Cork city except for court appearances and pre-arranged legal appointments.

Collins Aerospace has been targeted by pro-Palestine protesters as its parent company, RTX (formerly Raytheon), supplies defence systems to Israel. RTX has also partnered with Israeli firms to develop weapons systems, which it says are used to “protect the citizens and infrastructure of Israel.” Bail conditions imposed today preclude the defendants before Cork District Court from commentary on the October 13 incident and the matter before the court.