Case No. 2923Threatening and abusive behaviour (Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994) · Co. Cork · 22 Dec 2023
Derek Blighe found guilty of threatening and abusive behaviour at Fermoy District Court
Derek Blighe, 44, president of the right-wing Ireland First party and a General Election candidate for Cork North Central, was found guilty of threatening and abusive behaviour under Section 6 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994 for an incident at Abbeyville House, Fermoy, on 22 December 2023, in which he confronted the duty manager and live-streamed comments to him on Facebook. Judge Colm Roberts ordered him to donate €350 to the Irish Refugee Council, with the case adjourned to 13 December for payment.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Convicted15 Nov
2 reports - Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports27 statements extracted from the articles
- whatDerek Blighe was found guilty of one charge of threatening and abusive behaviour under Section 6 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe building was being prepared as accommodation for asylum seekers and a protest had been taking place outside for several months. (irishtimes.com)
- whatBlighe recorded Gomez with his mobile phone and uploaded the footage to Facebook. (irishtimes.com)
- whatGomez had been an Irish citizen for 20 years. (irishtimes.com)
- whatBlighe said he spoke to Gomez in the context of concerns about 56 single men being moved into Abbeyville House. (irishtimes.com)
- whatBlighe refuted any suggestion he was a racist. (irishtimes.com)
- whatDerek Blighe, 44, is of Croughevoe, Mitchelstown, Co Cork (irishmirror.ie)
- whatHe is president of the right-wing Ireland First party (irishmirror.ie)
- whatHe is a candidate in the upcoming General Election in the Cork North Central constituency (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe building was being prepared as accommodation for asylum seekers (irishmirror.ie)
- whatA protest had been taking place for several months outside the building (irishmirror.ie)
- whatChristopher Gomez was the duty manager at Abbeyville House (irishmirror.ie)
- whatMr Blighe recorded Mr Gomez with his mobile phone and uploaded the footage to Facebook (irishmirror.ie)
- whatMr Blighe live-streamed the incident (irishmirror.ie)
- whatMr Gomez had been an Irish citizen for 20 years (irishmirror.ie)
- whatMr Blighe said he spoke to Mr Gomez in the context of concerns about 56 single men being moved into Abbeyville House (irishmirror.ie)
- whatMr Blighe had eight previous convictions including one for public order (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe incident took place at Abbeyville House, Fermoy, Co Cork. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe incident occurred on 22 December 2023. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- chargeHe faced one charge under Section 6 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994 (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe case was adjourned until 13 December; if the payment is made, Blighe will receive the benefit of the Probation Act, and default will result in a €400 fine and conviction. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe case was adjourned until 13 December (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceJudge Roberts ordered Blighe to make a donation of €350 to the Irish Refugee Council, allowing one month to make the payment. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceJudge Roberts ordered Mr Blighe to make a donation of €350 to the Irish Refugee Council (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceDefault on payment will result in a €400 fine and conviction (irishmirror.ie)
- otherBlighe had eight previous convictions including one for public order. (irishtimes.com)
- otherBlighe is president of the right-wing Ireland First party and a candidate in the upcoming general election in the Cork North Central constituency. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 15 Nov2024General election candidate found guilty of threatening and abusive behaviour
Reports the guilty verdict, the judge's reasoning, the €350 donation order to the Irish Refugee Council, and the adjournment to 13 December for payment.
convicted, Derek Blighe, 44, male, named, irish (judged from name)Derek Blighevictim, Christopher Gomez, male, non-irish (judged from name)Christopher Gomez - 15 Nov2024Ireland First election candidate Derek Blighe found guilty of threatening behaviour
Reports the conviction and adjourned sentencing, including witness testimony from duty manager Christopher Gomez, the Facebook video of the incident, and Blighe's defence that he was raising concerns about 56 single men being moved into the building.
convicted, Derek Blighe, 44, male, Irish, named, irishDerek Blighevictim, Christopher Gomez, male, Irish, irishChristopher Gomez