09/03/2011

Protester May Face Further Charges

A builder has been charged with a driving offence after he parked a cherry-picker crane, adorned with a number of anti-government and banker protest slogans, outside the Dáil as the Government prepared for Budget day last December.

Joe McNamara, 41, raised himself to a height in the cherry-picker and stayed there for more than an hour playing loud music.

His case had been adjourned until yesterday pending directions from the DPP.

The prosecution told Judge Timothy Lucey that another remand was sought pending the possibility of further charges being brought against Mr McNamara, who was not present for yesterday's proceedings.

The defence solicitor ,Cahir O'Higgins, submitted that the case should be struck out, however Judge Lucey remanded McNamara to appear again next month.

He noted that the defence consented to the release of the accused's cherry-picker vehicle.

McNamara is also facing a hearing this month in connection with a separate incident in which a concrete mixer truck was allegedly driven against the gates of Leinster House last September. A cement lorry, with the words "Toxic Bank" and "Anglo" in red letters painted on its sides, was allegedly driven towards the gates of Leinster House causing minor damage.

He has pleaded not guilty to criminal damage and motoring charges and claimed he was merely exercising his rights to express opinions.

(JG/KMcA)

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