A farmer from South Galway, who is charged with hurling a bag of cow excrement towards State Minister Anne Rabbitte, has expressed to a judge that “it is a small incident and something I probably should regret”, reports RTE.
Joseph Baldwin, 39, of Ballyaneen, Gort, made his court debut today at Gort District Court. He is accused of attacking Anne Rabbitte on January 4, 2023, during a public meeting at O’Sullivans Royal Hotel, Gort.
Mr Baldwin told Judge Marian O’Leary: “I have been branded for assaulting a person and there is clear video – four images of CCTV – where Anne Rabbitte never got struck by the bag on the night in question,” reports RTE.
He said: “I have also had a local representative in the area to negotiate with Anne to bring the matter to a close and to try to sort it out. He went back to me last week and the issues have changed.”
Judge O’Leary said today that Mr. Baldwin will contest the assault accusation, and Judge Alec Gabbett will hear the matter in a special Ennis District Court session on September 13, reports RTE.
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Mr Baldwin stated: “It is a small incident and something I probably should regret but it is being pushed by higher powers, there were ‘Supers’ in Galway – there are an awful lot of bigger issues in the county and I am getting done for this?” reports RTE.
According to Mr. Baldwin, the case has had “serious repercussions” for him, as he has not been able to find employment since February.
He said: “I can’t get a job.”
He added: “I have worked the last six-seven years and since last February a person I even know told me that he couldn’t employ me because of what has been going on,” reports RTE.
Prior to the hearing, Judge Gabbett asked the gardaà to handle court security concerns at the Gort courtroom when the matter was brought before him in May to set a date.
“I am just a normal person – there is no one outside the door protesting or anything like this,” Mr. Baldwin responded today.
“Who decided there was a security risk?” he enquired. In this town, I am just another individual. I don’t identify as left or right. I have done political canvassing for Anne Rabbitte’s party, Fianna Fáil.”
“In this town, I have worked for a lot of individuals. I’ve made monetary donations to charities. paid for a home,” reports RTE.
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