Judge says he will not allow court to be used as soapbox

A JUDGE at Ennis District Court yesterday said that he would not allow his court to be used as a soapbox to make political points.

He was speaking during a preliminary hearing in relation to proceedings against former Army officer Dr Ed Horgan, who is charged with an incident at Shannon airport where he demanded gardaí search an aircraft.

He alleges it was being operated by the CIA and had been spotted at Guantánamo Bay.

At a special sitting of Ennis District Court yesterday, Dr Horgan (63), Newtown, Castletroy, Co Limerick, told Judge Tim Lucey the charge being brought against him “is spurious and malicious”.

Dr Horgan, a leading member of the Peace and Neutrality Alliance (Pana), is facing a charge of impeding an airport officer in the course of his duties at the airport fire security police entrance and failing to leave a security hut and subsequently the vicinity of the security gate entrance to Shannon airport on June 18th last.

Dr Horgan asked gardaí to search the aircraft citing international and Irish law.

In court yesterday, Dr Horgan argued that the summons before the court was unlawful and claimed that gardaí had a vendetta against him, pointing out that he has been the subject of three separate charges brought by gardaí.

In response, Judge Lucey said: “This court can’t be used as a soap box to make political points or protest points.”

Dr Horgan countered: “It is being used by the gardaí in that manner and not me.”

Judge Lucey said he was concerned with what evidence was put before the court, the relevant laws and not concerned with wild allegations being made.

Dr Horgan said the summons before the court purported to be from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) when in fact it was being brought on behalf of Sgt Kevin O’Hagan. He said there was no evidence that the DPP had any official cognisance of the incident or was consulted about it.

In response, Insp Tom Kennedy said the nature of the offence is unusual and he thought it prudent to refer the file to the DPP when there was no need to as it was a summary matter.

Insp Kennedy said he referred the file to reassure Dr Horgan. “We did that and acting on the instructions of the DPP, we issued the summons. I was speaking with the DPP office yesterday and I was told that Dr Horgan is free to contact the office if he has any concerns.”

Judge Lucey adjourned the case to March 19th to Shannon District Court to fix a date for hearing.