Nine people appear in court over protest outside refugee centre in Dublin

Gráinne Ní Aodha, PA

Nine people have appeared in court charged in relation to a “heated” protest in Dublin on Wednesday night.

All nine have been charged with failing to comply with directions given by gardaí, while one man was charged with possessing a blade.

Gardaí said five men and four women were arrested for alleged public order offences while officers assisted International Protection Accommodation Services personnel on the Ballyogan Road.

Dún Laoghaire District Court heard that during the incident, a staff member in her car at the temporary rest centre for refugees was prevented from leaving.

Gardaí objected to bail for all defendants over concerns that they could interfere with witnesses.

Superintendent Gordon Wolfe, who attended the incident on Wednesday night, said there were between 50 and 70 people at the protest and “a huge amount of gardaí” policing the incident.

Lawyers for the defendants argued that it was a “massive leap” to refuse bail on grounds of witness intimidation, and the judge said she was prepared to grant bail on strict terms.

The defendants are David Noonan (49), of New Oak Estate in Carlow; Kathy Kennedy (27), of Glenamuck Road, Dublin 18; Danielle McGearty (31), of Ash Hall, Larkfield, Dublin 18; Megan Isaacson (20), of Hillview Grove in Ballinteer, and Graham Carragher (60), with an address at Furry Hill Estate in Sandyford.

Three other defendants were held in contempt of court for interruptions during proceedings, but later apologised to the judge, which the judge accepted.

They are Colin McGettrick (48), of Viking Harbour, Ushers Island, Dublin 8; Scott Cullen (39), of Ballyogan Avenue, Carrickmines, and Lisa Burnett (33), of Ballyogan Vale, Carrickmines.

All eight were granted bail on the condition they pay a bond of €500, sign on daily at the local Garda station and stay away from the Ballyogan centre and the nearby recycling centre.

The judge directed that locals in the area would need to cross to the opposite footpath to the centre while on bail.

Sean Rush (33), with an address at Edenmore Avenue, Coolock, did not apply for bail and is due to appear in Cloverhill court on Wednesday.

He was charged with an additional offence of being in possession of a Stanley knife.