Garda accused of assaulting RTE cameraman during protest
A garda has appeared in court accused of assaulting an RTE cameraman who was filming a violent protest in Dublin,
Garda Sean Lucey based at Crumlin station in Dublin is alleged to have assaulted cameraman Colm Hand causing him harm at the junction of O’Connell Street and Cathedral Street on February 6 last year. He is also accused of damaging Mr Hand’s camera.
The incident allegedly occurred when gardai baton charged protesters who turned up in response to the launch of an Irish branch of far-right European anti-Islamic group Pegida.
A complaint was made through his employer to Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) which had successfully applied to Dublin District Court to issue summons against Gda Lucey on charges of assault and criminal damage.
The district court has heard Mr Hand had attended hospital and suffered bruising to his groin.
The summons was served earlier this month and Garda Lucey appeared before Judge Michael Walsh at Dublin District Court on Tuesday. Dressed in a black suit, white shirt and green tie, he stood up when the case was called but did not address the court.
State solicitor Michael Durkan told the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions has directed, “summary disposal on a guilty plea only”. This means the case will remain in the district court if he pleads guilty otherwise he will face trial before a judge and jury in the circuit court which has tougher sentencing powers.
Defence solicitor Liz Hughes said this was the first date her client was before the court and she requested an order for disclosure of prosecution evidence including CCTV footage.
Judge Walsh directed that a summary of evidence including statements and the CCTV evidence would have to be handed over to the defence by Sept 1 next. He ordered the accused to appear again on Sept. 26 next when the case will be listed for mention. He has not yet indicated how he will plead.
The complainant Mr Hand was also present for the hearing on Tuesday but has not yet been called to give evidence.
When an application was made to have the summons issued earlier this month, the court had heard that violence broke out during a march by Pegida, which stands for Patriotic Europeans Against The Islamisisation of the West.
Clashes broke out when small groups of Pegida supporters were heading towards the GPO from surrounding streets. About 1,000 people turned out for a counter-demonstration protesting against the launch of the anti-Islam group in Ireland.
A Garda Public Order Unit baton charged anti-Pegida demonstrators back to O’Connell Street and set up a cordon in the middle of North Earl Street.
O’Connell Street was closed to traffic in both directions between Abbey Street and Cathal Brugha Street, while Cathedral Street was cordoned off by public order.
Mounted gardai and garda dogs were used for crowd control and Luas services from Smithfield to the city-centre were suspended.
The Pegida movement has its origins in Germany, mainly a response to the European refugee crisis.
