Two men arrested during May Day protests had their cases adjourned today at Dublin District Court due to a shortage of judges.
British nationals Mr Giuseppe Girardi and student Mr Neil Ketchley (19) are charged with trespass on a private residence at Leeson Street Lower, Dublin, at 10.15 p.m on April 27th last.
Homeless worker Mr Girardi (38) is also charged with unlawful possession of implements that could be used for criminal damage under Section 4 of the Criminal Damage Act 1991 at the same address on the same date.
A court earlier heard that Mr Girardi was in possession of cans of spray paint and stencils used for anti-globalisation graffiti.
The defendants, who both have addresses in Britain, deny the charges.
However, Judge Gerard Haughton said he had to adjourn the case because of a current shortage of judges available to the District Court.
Judge Haughton, who adjourned several other listed cases, said: "There are three or four judges off sick, and a judge who retired in August 2003 has not been replaced. We are very short-staffed at the moment."
Earlier up to 15 supporters of the defendants staged a protest outside the gates of Dublin District Court on North Brunswick Street with a banner: "Don't Criminalise Political Dissidents."
The defendants were arrested during Garda security monitoring just days before May 1st celebrations in Dublin's Farmleigh House to mark the accession of 10 new states to the enlarged EU.
In court, counsel for Mr Ketchley, Ms Anita Warren sought an adjournment for her client when it emerged the case could not be heard.
PA