Anti immigration activist Derek Blighe sent forward for trial on charge of harassing a garda
Olivia Kelleher
Anti immigration activist Derek Blighe has been sent forward for trial on a charge of harassing a member of An Garda Síochána.
Blighe of Curraghvoe, Mitchelstown, Co Cork, appeared before Cork District Court on Monday, having previously been charged that on dates between February 22nd, 2023, and December 4th, 2023, he harassed a garda.
The alleged offence is contrary to Section 10 of the Non Fatal Offences Against the Person Act.
A book of evidence was served on Blighe on Monday. Sgt John Dineen reminded Blighe of his bail conditions in the case. He pointed to the requirement that Blighe not comment on the case online.
“He (Blighe) is skirting quite close to online commentary, especially in relation to commentary on this case online.”
Judge John King sent the case forward to a sitting of Cork Circuit Criminal Court on Thursday. A date for the trial will be set on that occasion.
Blighe was remanded on bail pending his appearance at the Circuit Court on Thursday. He has pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Meanwhile, Dt Sgt Christopher Cahill previously said that Blighe and his co-accused were involved in a “campaign of harassment” against the garda.
The detective sergeant said that in February 2023, the victim in the case was walking outside Cork District Court having given evidence in a separate case when he was approached on Anglesea Street by the accused and two other people.
The garda was wearing a civilian jacket as he walked down the street. He was allegedly recorded and live-streamed by the accused who also verbally abused him. A video of the interaction was posted on social media.
Cahill said that the garda was followed by the people who were filming him. He was afraid to get his bus home in case his address became public.
The court heard that a video of the incident, which had a caption with derogatory comments about the garda, was viewed several thousand times online.
Blighe also allegedly went on to post videos of himself talking about the alleged victim in the case in April, August, and December 2023. In one post, he allegedly said that the garda was “terrified” and “afraid to leave his home.”
The detective sergeant previously indicated that the alleged harassment has had a negative effect on the garda and his family.
“The victim will say he had not consented to being recorded. He was prevented from going to a bus station to go home because he feared he would be followed. The victim was distressed and it has had a negative impact on him and his family.”
Under the terms of his bail, Blighe has to refrain from having any contact, direct or indirect, with the alleged victim in the case. He cannot post about anything related to the case on social media.
Blighe was eliminated in the 16th count in the European Parliament elections in June 2024, having received 38,625 votes.
Meanwhile, his co-accused in the case, Ross Lahive, who is a former European Election candidate for the Irish People Party, also appeared before Cork District Court on Monday morning.
A book of evidence was served on him. Lahive was also sent forward to Cork Circuit Criminal Court for trial.
Lahive is charged that on dates between October 9th, 2022, and February 6th, 2025, he harassed a garda. The alleged offence is contrary to Section 10 of the Non Fatal Offences Against the Person Act. Lahive is contesting the case against him.
Lahive of Church Street, Shandon Street in Cork was remanded on bail until his next court appearance on Thursday at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.
Under the terms of his bail, the 46-year-old has to refrain from having any contact, direct or indirect, with the alleged victim in the case. He also cannot post about anything related to the case on social media.
