A Dublin man has pleaded not guilty to public order charges relating to an incident during a protest outside the Dail building last month, reports Breaking News.
Philip Keogh, 45, of Griffith Park, Finglas, and Darryl McMahon, 48, of Charlestown Park, Finglas, have been charged with threatening, abusive and offensive behaviour on September 20 in Molesworth Street.
Around 200 protesters demonstrated outside Leinster House as the Dáil returned to session after the summer break.
Mr Keogh will be charged with an additional charge of obstructing police officers, and Mr McMahon will be charged with an additional charge of failing to comply with a police order to leave the area.
They face a second hearing before Judge Paula Murphy at Dublin District Court on Wednesday.
Defense lawyer Donal Quigley said Keogh had denied the charges against him and Judge Murphy ordered the trial to continue on November 15.
During his first court appearance last month, Garda Glenn Quinn said Keogh had received no response.
“Following his arrest, he informed me he would not appear before the court on these charges because he does not recognise the charges,” Garda Quinn said, reports Breaking News.
“It was a protest he was arrested at, and emotions in these matters can run quite high,” the solicitor had said, reports Breaking News.
The court had a constitutional right to assemble and refused to order them banned from Molesworth Street and Oireachtas House on the grounds “that would be a step too far.”
They were granted legal aid.
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