Jobstown - A Protest on Trial

A total of 19 people will face trial for protesting in Jobstown, Tallaght, on November 15 2014.
A 17 year old was already convicted of false imprisonment of Joan Burton. His appeal for justice is ongoing.  The first adult trial will begin on April 24 2017 when 7 defendants face false imprisonment charges.  If convicted for 6 months or more Paul Murphy TD will be removed from Dáil Éireann.  More will face charges of false imprisonment and violent disorder on October 2017 and early in 2018.

A 20 min film

Jobstown Verdict should sound warning bells

by Cian Prendiville

Today saw a gross miscarriage of justice, and an outrageous attack on the right to protest, when a 17 year old found was found guilty of a trumped up charge of false imprisonment of Joan Burton. All those who oppose the criminalisation of protest should now make a stand. 

The verdict is the key issue here. It has set a very low threshold by which 'false imprisonment' can be proved. In his summing up the judge suggested that one incident that proved the state's case was when the young man momentarily stood in front of Joan Burton to ask her to answer a question. Another was the fact that he chanted 'No way, we won't pay' and that he encouraged others to sit down. People should see this for what it is – preparing the way for convictions and prison sentences against adult defendants next year and significantly restricting the right of protest.

 The judge also stated that the protest did not attract the protection of the European Convention on Human Rights because it was 'contrary to public order and morality'. This is outrageous – there is nothing immoral about a young person standing up and protesting against austerity.

 This verdict should be sounding warning bells in the minds of activists across the country. Trade unionists engaged in stopping strikebreaking vehicles could now be found guilty of false imprisonment. Similarly, pro-choice or anti-war activists engaging in sit-down protests or slow marches could also be charged and convicted.

An injury to one is an injury to all, it is time to stand together.  There will be nationwide protests in the coming weeksand we urge everyone to show their support

Student found guilty of false imprisonment of Joan Burton during Jobstown protest

A student has been found guilty of false imprisonment of Joan Burton during the Jobstown protest.

 

The youth (17) denied falsely imprisoning the former Tanaiste and her advisor Karen O'Connell who were allegedly trapped in two garda cars for three hours during the demonstration at the Fortunestown Road in Jobstown in Tallaght, on Nov. 15, 2014.

He was aged 15 at the time of the protest.

His trial at the Dublin Children's Court resumed on Friday morning for Judge John King decide if he was going to throw out the case.

The 17-year-old's legal team contended that it is not accordance with Irish or European human rights laws and that the State has not made out a case to answer.

The Dublin west TD had been at a graduation ceremony at An Cosan education centre when a water protest took place outside. She told the court earlier that she was frightened and did not think she had the alternative of being able to get out of Garda cars surrounded by people shouting abuse and banging on windows.

The teenager had also walked in front of her holding a phone filming her and blocked her while saying “talk to us Joan”, she said.

Last month, the State has closed it's case and on Tuesday, the boy's legal team asked Judge John King to dismiss the charges. The boy's barrister Giollaoisa O Lideadha SC told Judge King that the the case is “unprecedented” and is a “recipe for totalitarianism”.

However, Judge King held that the liberty of the then Tanaiste and her advisor were restricted at numerous stages and the teenager was guilty based on the evidence given to the court.

Source; Irish Independent, Oct 21, 2016

Ruth Coppinger, TD, says "The judge has found the 17 year old guilty of false imprisonment! This is an incredible ruling which is designed to criminalise those who stand up to austerity. "