Three arrested after EPP protest freed on bail

A political activist has told a court he will continue to protest “against the fascists” following his arrest at the European People’s Party conference in Dublin.

Political leaders and about 2,000 delegates from across Europe have attended the two-day event at the National Conference Centre which was hosted by Fine Gael.

Following clashes between gardai and some anti-austerity protesters, three people were arrested yesterday.

After being charged under the Public Order Act, they were brought before Judge Patricia McNamara at Dublin District Court today.

Stephen Bennett (42), with an address at Pearse Green, Sallynoggin, Co Dublin is charged with breach of the peace, failing to comply with a garda direction to desist and leave the area, and he is also accused of assaulting a garda at Spencer Dock, near the conference venue.

Shane O’Brien (22), from Rathbourne Avenue, Ashtown, Dublin is charged with a breach of the peace offence at North Wall Quay as is 23-year-old German student Jennifer Rieck, who is currently residing at Charleston Road, Ranelagh, Dublin 6. She is also charged giving a garda a false name and address.

Friends and supporters were in the public gallery as they were remanded on bail to appear again on March 21st. A summary of evidence has been handed over to their lawyers and it has to be established whether or not there will be CCTV footage of the incident.

There was no objection to bail and Judge McNamara also granted legal aid to them after hearing that Mr Bennett and Mr O’Brien were on social welfare and that Ms Rieck was a university student currently in Ireland for research.

Ms Rieck was the only one ordered to stay away from the National Conference Centre for the duration of the European People’s Party (EPP) event.

Following legal arguments by defence lawyers, the judge refused to bar Mr Bennett and Mr O’Brien from the vicinity of the conference centre. When asked if he had a reason to be in that area Mr Bennett said: “I am there to protest against the fascists in Europe.”

Solicitor Stephen O’Mahoney, for Mr Bennett, said his client was a political activist and this condition would have been like a using a “sledgehammer to crack a nut”. He also said his client would be contesting the charges.

All three were told that they must be of good behaviour, not come to further garda attention, and to notify the prosecution of any change in their addresses and to obey the conditions.

Mr Bennett told Judge McNamara that he understood. “I will continue my peaceful protests in my normal way, ” he said.

All three accused were also ordered to sign on once a week at their local Garda stations.