Bord na Móna seeks committal of Liam Gorman and three others over Garrymore Bog trespass and racial abuse of security staff
Security personnel, including Richard Thomas, at Garrymore Bog, Tinnahinch, Co Laois, were racially abused, threatened and assaulted during an altercation on 22 May 2026 with individuals allegedly trespassing on the 160-hectare site. During the stand-off, several individuals surrounded a security cabin with flammable material and poured accelerant on it, and security staff required Garda assistance to withdraw. Bord na Móna brought High Court proceedings seeking committal of Liam Gorman, an agricultural contractor from Silverwood, Mountmellick, for trespassing in contempt of repeated High Court orders, and also seeking committal of Kevin Barry, Daniel Marsh and Dermot Marsh of Clonin, Co Offaly. The judge ordered attachment of three respondents and adjourned the case to the following week.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court5 Jun
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Security personnel, including Richard Thomas, at Garrymore Bog were racially abused, threatened and assaulted during an altercation with individuals allegedly trespassing.
- Individuals surrounded a security cabin with flammable material and poured accelerant on it, and security staff required Garda assistance to withdraw.
- Liam Gorman, an agricultural contractor from Silverwood, Mountmellick, Co Laois, claims his family owned some of the land for generations and that it had been abandoned by Bord na Móna.
- Where
- The altercation took place at Garrymore Bog, Tinnahinch, Co Laois.
- When
- The altercation occurred on 22 May 2026.
- In court
- Bord na Móna brought High Court proceedings seeking committal of Liam Gorman for trespassing in contempt of repeated High Court orders not to trespass on the 160-hectare bog.
- Bord na Móna is also seeking committal of Kevin Barry, Daniel Marsh and Dermot Marsh of Clonin, Co Offaly.
- The judge ordered attachment of three respondents and adjourned the case to the following week.
12 statements extracted from the articles
- whatSecurity personnel at Garrymore Bog were racially abused, threatened and assaulted during an altercation with individuals allegedly trespassing (irishtimes.com)
- whatIndividuals surrounded a security cabin with flammable material and poured accelerant on it (irishtimes.com)
- whatGorman is an agricultural contractor from Silverwood, Mountmellick, Co Laois (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe bog is 160 hectares (irishtimes.com)
- whatGorman claims his family owned some of the land for generations and that it had been abandoned by Bord na Móna (irishtimes.com)
- whatSecurity staff required Garda assistance to withdraw after tyres and flammable materials were placed around the cabin and doused with accelerant (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe altercation took place at Garrymore Bog, Tinnahinch, Co Laois (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe altercation occurred on 22 May 2026 (irishtimes.com)
- courtBord na Móna brought High Court proceedings seeking committal of Liam Gorman for trespassing in contempt of court orders (irishtimes.com)
- courtGorman has been repeatedly ordered by the High Court not to trespass on the bog (irishtimes.com)
- courtBord na Móna is also seeking committal of Kevin Barry, Daniel Marsh and Dermot Marsh of Clonin, Co Offaly (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe case was adjourned to the following week (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 5 Jun2026Security personnel racially abused, assaulted in altercation at Co Laois bog, court told
First report of the High Court contempt proceedings brought by Bord na Móna against Gorman and three others; judge ordered attachment of three respondents and adjourned the case.
accused, Liam Gorman, male, named, irish (judged from name)Liam Gormanaccused, Kevin Barry, male, named, irish (judged from name)Kevin Barryaccused, Daniel Marsh, male, named, irish (judged from name)Daniel Marshaccused, Dermot Marsh, male, named, irish (judged from name)Dermot Marshvictim, Richard Thomas, male, irish (judged from name)Richard Thomas