Three north Mayo men have been convicted of assaulting a garda sergeant following an altercation last year at the construction of the Bellanaboy gas terminal.

Bizarrely although the Judge hearing the case accepted that the men did not intend to cause the garda sergeant injured in the incident harm she decided that they would face imprisonment as well as a heavy fine.

The garda sergeant was injured when he fell into a roadside ditch on October 12, 2006, demonstrators were attempting to continue peaceful protests at the site.

The case seems to be sending a signal that the Courts will give more credence to the view of the police in relation to issues which come before them. Certainly objective external observers who viewed footage broadcast from the site during protests last year would be hard pressed to apportion blame on either side as demonstrators justifiably emotional over what is happening in their community were pushed aside and clumsily removed from the roads. In that type of situation it was highly probable that both demonstrators or police might be injured and in the circumstances to criminalise three men whilst accepting no malice aforethought beggars belief.

The Celtic League hope this was not an attempt by the courts to intimidate the community. If it was it seems to have already failed as those involved in the gas terminal stand-off have vowed to continue their peaceful protest.

J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League

12/07/07

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