Ireland Anti-immigration activist Derek Blighe sent forward for trial over harassment of garda, Cork
Derek Blighe, an anti-immigration activist of Curraghvoe, Mitchelstown, Co Cork, is charged with harassing a member of An Garda Síochána on dates between 22 February 2023 and 4 December 2023, including in a video filmed on Anglesea Street, Cork. Co-accused Ross Lahive, 46, is charged with harassing a garda on dates between 9 October 2022 and 6 February 2025, and is contesting the case. Both men appeared before Cork District Court, where Judge John King sent the case forward to Cork Circuit Criminal Court and both were remanded on bail, with Blighe having pleaded not guilty. The latest development is that a trial date is to be set for Thursday 12 February.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court1 Feb
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Derek Blighe has been sent forward for trial on a charge of harassing a member of An Garda Síochána.
- A video of the incident on Anglesea Street, Cork, with derogatory comments about the garda in its caption, was viewed several thousand times online.
- Where
- Blighe is of Curraghvoe, Mitchelstown, Co Cork, and appeared before Cork District Court.
- When
- The alleged harassment by Blighe took place on dates between 22 February 2023 and 4 December 2023.
- Investigation
- A detective sergeant said Blighe and his co-accused were involved in a campaign of harassment against the garda.
- Charges
- The alleged offence is contrary to Section 10 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act.
- Co-accused Ross Lahive, 46, is charged with harassing a garda on dates between 9 October 2022 and 6 February 2025, and is contesting the case.
- In court
- Judge John King sent the case forward to Cork Circuit Criminal Court, with a date for trial to be set on Thursday 12 February.
- Blighe was remanded on bail and has pleaded not guilty to the charge.
- Lahive was sent forward to Cork Circuit Criminal Court for trial and remanded on bail.
- Other details
- The court heard that the alleged harassment has had a negative effect on the garda and his family.
- The tracker lists the article as dated 1 February 2026, while the page is timestamped 4.39pm, 9 February 2026.
10 statements extracted from the articles
- whatDerek Blighe has been sent forward for trial on a charge of harassing a member of An Garda Síochána. (thejournal.ie)
- whatA video of the incident on Anglesea Street, which had derogatory comments about the garda in its caption, was viewed several thousand times online. (thejournal.ie)
- whereBlighe is of Curraghvoe, Mitchelstown, Co Cork, and appeared before Cork District Court. (thejournal.ie)
- whenThe alleged harassment took place on dates between 22 February 2023 and 4 December 2023. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationA detective sergeant said Blighe and his co-accused were involved in a campaign of harassment against the garda. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeThe alleged offence is contrary to Section 10 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeCo-accused Ross Lahive is charged with harassing a garda on dates between 9 October 2022 and 6 February 2025, and he is contesting the case. (thejournal.ie)
- courtJudge John King sent the case forward to Cork Circuit Criminal Court, with a date for trial to be set on Thursday 12 February. (thejournal.ie)
- courtBlighe was remanded on bail and has pleaded not guilty to the charge. (thejournal.ie)
- courtLahive was sent forward to Cork Circuit Criminal Court for trial and remanded on bail. (thejournal.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 1 Feb2026Anti-immigration activist Derek Blighe to go on trial on charge of harassing garda
Reports the case being sent forward for trial, the bail conditions, the not guilty plea, and the co-accused Ross Lahive's charge and court appearance.
accused, Derek Blighe, male, named, irish (judged from name)Derek Bligheaccused, Ross Lahive, 46, male, named, irish (judged from name)Ross Lahivevictim, male