Ireland Grandad fined €500 for abusing gardaí at Crown Paints protest
On 15 July 2024, Christopher Kirwan, 56, of Liberty House, Dublin 1, started hurling abuse at gardaí policing a protest near the former Crown Paints site in Dublin, and failed to follow a garda direction to move on. He was arrested and charged, and at Dublin District Court pleaded guilty to a breach of the peace and to failing to leave the vicinity when cautioned, with his defence saying he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. On 26 September 2024, Judge Michael Ramsey recorded a conviction on the two Public Order Act charges, fined him €500, spared him jail, and ordered the fine to be paid within three months.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced26 Sep
2 reports
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Christopher Kirwan started hurling abuse at gardaí policing a protest and told them "I'd love it for some knock off you lot".
- Kirwan failed to follow a garda direction to move on, responded with an expletive, and became more abusive.
- Where
- The incident happened at Malahide Road, near the former Crown Paints site in Dublin, at a protest.
- One article's headline describes the protest as at Coolock, while its body places it near the former Crown Paints site.
- When
- The incident and caution took place on 15 July 2024.
- Charges
- Kirwan was arrested and charged after failing to follow the garda direction to move on.
- He pleaded guilty to a breach of the peace and to failing to leave the vicinity when cautioned.
- In court
- The case was heard at Dublin District Court before Judge Michael Ramsey, with sentence given on 26 September 2024.
- Sentence
- Kirwan was fined €500 and a conviction was recorded on the two Public Order Act charges.
- He was spared jail and ordered to pay the fine within three months.
- Other details
- The court heard Kirwan had eight prior convictions, including a Circuit Court endangerment offence and District Court public order and road traffic convictions.
- The court heard Kirwan was on disability benefits due to a heart problem.
- His defence solicitor, Daniel Hanahoe, said Kirwan was not part of the protest and was only in the wrong place at the wrong time.
22 statements extracted from the articles
- whatHe started hurling abuse at gardaí policing a protest near the former Crown Paints site. (thejournal.ie)
- whatChristopher Kirwan was fined €500 after pleading guilty. (rte.ie)
- whatKirwan started hurling abuse at gardaí policing a protest. (rte.ie)
- whatKirwan told gardaí "I'd love it for some knock off you lot". (rte.ie)
- whatKirwan failed to follow a garda direction to move on. (rte.ie)
- whereThe incident happened at Malahide Road. (thejournal.ie)
- whereThe incident happened near the former Crown Paints site in Dublin, at a protest. (rte.ie)
- whereThe caution was given at Malahide Road. (rte.ie)
- chargeHe pleaded guilty to a breach of the peace and failing to leave the vicinity when cautioned. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeKirwan pleaded guilty to a breach of the peace and to failing to leave the vicinity when cautioned. (rte.ie)
- courtThe case was heard at Dublin District Court before Judge Michael Ramsey. (thejournal.ie, rte.ie)
- sentenceHe was fined €500. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceA conviction was recorded for the two Public Order Act charges. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceHe was spared jail and ordered to pay the fine within three months. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceJudge Ramsey recorded a conviction for the two Public Order Act charges but spared Kirwan jail. (rte.ie)
- sentenceKirwan was ordered to pay the fine within three months. (rte.ie)
- otherHe was arrested and charged after failing to follow a garda direction to move on. (thejournal.ie)
- otherHe had eight prior convictions. (thejournal.ie)
- otherHe was on disability benefits due to a heart problem. (thejournal.ie)
- otherThe court heard Kirwan had eight prior convictions. (rte.ie)
- otherThe defence said Kirwan was not part of the protest and was only in the wrong place at the wrong time. (rte.ie)
- otherThe court heard Kirwan was on disability benefits due to a heart problem. (rte.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 26 Sep2024Man fined for verbal abuse of gardaí at Coolock protest
Court outcome: Kirwan was fined €500, a conviction was recorded on the two Public Order Act charges, and he was spared jail. The article also gives his age, address, prior convictions and his defence's account.
convicted, Christopher Kirwan, 56, male, named, irish (judged from name)Christopher Kirwan - 26 Sep2024Grandad spared jail for abusing garda at former Crown Paint site
Court report of the sentence: €500 fine, no jail, fine payable within three months. Details the incident at a protest near the former Crown Paints site and Kirwan's prior convictions.
convicted, Christopher Kirwan, 56, male, named, irish (judged from name)Christopher Kirwan