Political activist Ben Gilroy in court over trespass order

A founder of political movement Direct Democracy Ireland, Ben Gilroy, was arrested and brought before the High Court by gardaí today under a warrant issued over alleged contempt of orders restraining trespass on a Co Kildare stud farm to which receivers have been appointed.

Mr Gilroy, who denies any contempt, was arrested at his home in Navan, Co Meath around 8.45am and brought before Mr Justice Sean Ryan at 11am. Several supporters of Mr Gilroy also attended court.

Without prejudice to his denial of any contempt, Mr Gilroy agreed to provide an undertaking not to trespass on a stud farm at Brannockstown, Naas, owned by farmer Eugene McDermott or to interfere with joint receivers appointed over those lands.

In light of that undertaking, Michael Howard SC, with Rory Mulcahy, for joint receivers Mark Reynolds and Glenn Cran, said they were agreeable to the matter being adjourned for three weeks to allow Mr Gilroy file replying affidavits to the claims made.

The judge said he would adjourn the receivers’ application to commit Mr Gilroy to prison over alleged contempt to November 15th. He also directed that Mr Gilroy file his replying affidavits within two weeks.

The joint receivers previously claimed that Mr Gilroy, Mr McDermott and another man, Charlie Allen, were involved with “a mob” that forced the receivers’ agents off the lands.

When the case was before Mr Justice Brian McGovern last month, he warned that people were subject to the rule of law and there would be consequences for anyone found to be in deliberate breach of the law.

The receivers were appointed by IBRC in November 2011 over Mr McDermott’s lands with view to selling the 120-acre property.

They alleged that, since late August, they were being prevented from taking possession of the lands.