THE British Tourist Authority was granted a High Court order yesterday preventing a member of Saoirse, a prisoners' rights organisation, and any others, from trespassing in its offices, which were occupied by the group last Wednesday.
Members of Saoirse, campaigning for the release of political prisoners, occupied the BTA offices at College Green, Dublin, which were opened last June by the Prince of Wales.
The President of the High Court, Mr Justice Costello, granted an interim injunction until next Monday to the BTA against Ms Bernie Farrell of Shandcastle Lawns, Quarryvale, Clondalkin, Dublin, and any person with knowledge of the order.
In an affidavit, Ms Mary Lynch, manager of the Irish office of the BTA, said the premises were on the ground floor and provided travel information to the public. She said Ms Farrell represented Saoirse.
On Wednesday January 31st at 11 a.m., eight people entered the office and attached a heavy chain and padlock to the inside of the door. They told members of the public and staff who were present that they intended to occupy the offices.
While the eight people were inside, about 12 people stayed outside and taped posters publicising their cause to the outside of the windows and doors. Ms Lynch said she believed that a member of staff was informed that they were from Saoirse. The people outside formed a barrier and cut off access to the office to the public.
The BTA staff was obliged to withdraw from the front area of the offices to the rear of the shop, a private area. Ms Lynch said she arranged for members of the public who were in the front office leave by a side door.
She requested the protesters to leave and was told that they were engaging in a peaceful protest to obtain maximum media coverage. The protesters refused to leave. They carried banners posters and placards indicating that the disturbance was organised by Saoirse.
Gardai were called and a Garda inspector informed her no action would be taken by gardai against the protesters. At the time of the disturbance, there were two customers in the office, seven staff of BTA and three from the licensee, Travel Machine Ltd.
On July 4th 1995, a similar incident occurred when a group of protesters, claiming to be members of Sinn Fein, occupied the offices. Since then the staff had been uneasy about the likelihood of a recurrence.
The occupation of the premises had caused a significant disruption to BTA's business as the protesters remained in and outside the office for 11/2 hours. She was greatly concerned at the damage which the disturbance had caused to their efforts to establish the offices, only opened on June 1st last year by Prince Charles.
She was also alarmed for the safety of her staff and customers and for the future of the offices should further protests be organised. It was likely the protesters would repeat their occupation unless prevented by a court order.