Ireland Gsoc refused access to ambient recordings of court melee that led to Simeon Burke conviction
Simeon Burke, a 24-year-old student lawyer with an address in Castlebar, Co Mayo, was arrested on March 7th after a disruption at the Four Courts, Inns Quay, while the Court of Appeal was delivering a judgment in his brother Enoch Burke's case. He was later convicted of a public order offence under the Public Order Act for threatening, insulting and abusive words and behaviour. In a ruling reported on 21 July 2023, Mr Justice John Edwards refused the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (Gsoc) access to ambient audio recordings of the court, which it had sought for its investigation into how gardaí acted, and said Gsoc could renew the application if it first showed the system was recording. The matter has been adjourned to October 6th, and Burke is appealing his conviction to the Circuit Court.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Convicted21 Jul
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (Gsoc) was refused access to ambient audio recordings of a court "melee".
- The Gsoc application was made as part of its investigation into how gardaí acted during the incident.
- Where
- The incident occurred on or about the Four Courts, Inns Quay, Dublin.
- When
- Burke was arrested on March 7th following the disruption.
- Cause
- The disruption happened while the Court of Appeal was delivering a judgment in the case of his brother, Enoch Burke, over his suspension from Wilson's Hospital School.
- Other details
- Simeon Burke is a 24-year-old student lawyer with an address at Cloonsunna, Castlebar, Co Mayo.
- The Court of Appeal noted concerns that the recordings could be regarded as covert audio recording of gardaí and others present in court, and that persons may be unaware the system existed.
- Charges
- Burke was convicted of an offence under the Public Order Act for engaging in threatening, insulting and abusive words and behaviour.
- Investigation
- Gardaí are also investigating the incident and had sought the same recordings.
- In court
- Mr Justice John Edwards refused the Gsoc application for the recordings.
- The judge said Gsoc could renew the application if it first produced evidence that the ambient system was recording.
- The matter was adjourned to October 6th.
- Burke is appealing his conviction to the Circuit Court.
11 statements extracted from the articles
- whatGsoc has been refused access to ambient audio recordings of a court melee. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe incident led to Simeon Burke being convicted of a public order offence. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe offence occurred on or about the Four Courts, Inns Quay. (irishtimes.com)
- whenBurke was arrested on March 7th following a disruption while the Court of Appeal was delivering a judgment. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí are also investigating the incident and had sought the same recordings. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeBurke was convicted of an offence under the Public Order Act for threatening, insulting and abusive words and behaviour. (irishtimes.com)
- courtMr Justice Edwards refused the Gsoc application for the recordings. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe judge said Gsoc could renew the application if it first produced evidence that the ambient system was recording. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe matter was adjourned to October 6th. (irishtimes.com)
- courtBurke is to appeal his conviction to the Circuit Court. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe judge raised concerns that people present in court may be unaware the ambient system existed. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 21 Jul2023Gsoc refused access to ambient recordings of court ‘melee’ that led to Simeon Burke conviction
Reports a ruling in Gsoc's investigation into garda conduct during the incident, and that Simeon Burke was convicted under the Public Order Act and is appealing to the Circuit Court. Does not give the year of the March 7th arrest.
convicted, Simeon Burke, 24, male, named, irish (judged from name)Simeon Burke