Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 3864Harassment of a garda (Section 10, Non Fatal Offences Against the Person Act) · Co. Cork · 22 Feb 2023

Derek Blighe and Ross Lahive sent forward for trial on garda harassment charges

Anti-immigration activist Derek Blighe of Mitchelstown, Co Cork, and co-accused Ross Lahive of Cork were sent forward for trial at Cork Circuit Criminal Court on charges of harassing a garda under Section 10 of the Non Fatal Offences Against the Person Act. Blighe pleaded not guilty and was remanded on bail.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court9 Feb
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
18 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatIn February 2023 the alleged victim was walking outside Cork District Court having given evidence in a separate case. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe garda was wearing a civilian jacket at the time. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe garda was allegedly recorded and live-streamed by the accused who also verbally abused him. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatA video of the interaction was posted on social media. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereBlighe lives in Curraghvoe, Mitchelstown, Co Cork. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe garda was approached on Anglesea Street by the accused and two other people. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereLahive lives on Church Street, Shandon Street in Cork. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeBlighe is charged with harassing a garda on dates between February 22, 2023, and December 4, 2023. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeThe offence is contrary to Section 10 of the Non Fatal Offences Against the Person Act. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeLahive is charged with harassing a garda on dates between October 9, 2022, and February 6, 2025. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtBlighe appeared before Cork District Court on Monday. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtSgt John Dineen reminded Blighe of his bail conditions and that he not comment on the case online. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtJudge John King sent the case forward to Cork Circuit Criminal Court on Thursday. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtBlighe was remanded on bail pending his appearance at the Circuit Court. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtBlighe pleaded not guilty to the charge. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtLahive was also sent forward to Cork Circuit Criminal Court for trial. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherDerek Blighe is described as an anti-immigration activist. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherRoss Lahive is a former European election candidate for the Irish People Party. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 9 Feb2026
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Anti-immigration activist Derek Blighe sent forward for trial on garda harassment charge

    Details of the Cork District Court proceedings, the specific February 2023 incident on Anglesea Street, the co-accused Ross Lahive's separate charge period, and the remittal to Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

    accused, Derek Blighe, male, named, irish (judged from name)Derek Bligheaccused, Ross Lahive, 46, male, named, irish (judged from name)Ross Lahivevictim, male