Belated Belmullet District Court Report Sept 11, 2013

Saturday September 21, 2013 15:47

by Shelver - RSC

No cases heard - next Corrib cases on Oct 9th and Nov 13th - all support welcome.

Judge Gibbons presided over this months district court in Belmullet. The courtroom was packed with supporters of the 8 Corrib defendants, but none of their cases were heard on the day.

New court banner

Four of the defendants are involved in relatively new cases and are only in the preliminary stages - all these will reappear on November 13th for mention, bar the case against local farmer Gerry Bourke. This case was dropped by the state, seemingly because the they failed to bring him before a court within 30 days of his arrest.

A fifth campaigner may have her case heard on November 13th.

It was thought that the final three defendants were ready to fight their cases, but all were moved on to future dates. In the case of Maura Harrington, a Garda witness sent in a doctors sick note saying he couldn't attend.

While recognising the validity of the court, Maura Harrington stated: "I request that the court direct that a nolle prosequi be entered in this instance or, failing that, that the hearing of the allegations against me be deferred until such time as an independent, international panel/commission has issued a report on the policing of the Shell/Corrib project with specific reference to practices, policies, procedures, human rights, bribery, corruption and collusion."

Maura's cases are now due to be heard on November 13th.

Terence Conway will contest his case on October 9th, and has indicated that he will defend himself using an argument of "reasonable excuse" by providing evidence that his actions against the Corrib project were to prevent greater injustice.

John Monaghan - also representing himself - has cases for alleged traffic offenses in December 2011 and February 2012. Notably, he was only charged with these allegations after video footage was captured of a Garda smashing in his car window on 22nd of February 2012. Further evidence was requested so no hearing date was set yet.

See Garda window smash video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qu4JZ4_Nxl4

Next Belmullet Corrib court date is October 9th 10.30am for Terence Conway's hearings - all support welcome.