Three men and a woman have been charged in relation to public order offences after clashes took place between Gardaí and protestors in Newtownmountkennedy, Co.Wicklow last night.
The scenes reported by Gript took place outside a new IPAS development in River Lodge Trudder, Newtownmountkennedy.
Gardaí advance on and pepper spray protesters opposing an IPAS centre in Newtownmountkennedy in clashes last night. Gript captured front line images. pic.twitter.com/8dN3tu2jUu
— gript (@griptmedia) April 26, 2024
A prosecuting Garda told Judge Nicola Andrews at a special sitting of Bray District Court that there were scenes of “relentless” and “prolonged” violence during the protest and that a number of Gardaí had been injured.
The situation was described as “extremely dangerous” with those brought before the courts having been detained under the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994, Section 8.
Michael Sinnott and Shane Sinnott of Seasons Park, Newtownmountkennedy, Ben McNulty of Rossmore Ave Moneycarroll Co. Wicklow, and Sharon McCann of Mountain View Dr. Moneycarroll, Newtownmountkennedy, Co. Wicklow,
All those facing charges were released on bail bonds of €1,000 nil cash lodgement to appear before Bray District Court again on the 9th of May at 10:30am.
The accused were instructed “not to engage in any protest in the Newtownmountkennedy area, to stay away from River Lodge Trudder, Newtownmountkennedy and its environs, to reside at the stated addresses while on bail and notify Gardaí of any changes in address with 48hrs notice, and to observe a curfew between 8am – 8pm.
The prosecuting Garda said all four gave “no reply” as to the charges saying that it was likely that further charges would be brought.
When asked if they understood their bail conditions all four answered that they did with the court hearing that Miss McCann had an injured hand and had some difficulty adding her signature to the bail bond document.
As the four left court there was a small outbreak of applause from bystanders.