A Dublin councillor has been found guilty of assaulting former minister for health Mary Harney by throwing red paint over her last November.
Ms Harney had paint thrown at her, covering parts of her clothes, neck, chest and hands, during a sod-turning ceremony for a new primary care and mental health unit at Cherry Orchard Hospital in west Dublin, on November 1st.
Louise Minihan, 29-year-old councillor from Knock Riada, Chapelizod, in Dublin, who is a member of the socialist republican Éirígí party, had pleaded not guilty to assaulting the former health minister and criminal damage to her clothing, which were worth €600 to €800.
Judge Ann Watkin heard at the Dublin District Court that Minihan accepted the facts of the case but claimed she had been engaging in a “political protest”.
After being found guilty, the councillor, a mother of one, who earns €17,500 a year, refused to do community service or to make a donation to a charity nominated by Ms Harney, because she wanted to “stand over her actions.”
Judge Watkin said Minihan had “no excuse” and she had “wasted” tax payers’ money through legal aid fees and court time.
For the criminal damage offence, the judge imposed a two month term which she suspended on condition the defendant keeps the peace for the next 12 months. In relation to the assault, Judge Watkin fined Minihan €1,500 which must be paid within a year or she will face a seven day jail term in default.
“People are entitled to protest but are not entitled to do that,” the judge said.
Ms Harney, the chief prosecution witness, took the stand and said she had attended the ceremony where local councillor Minihan introduced herself. “She said she would like to have a word with me later, I said certainly,” Ms Harney told the court.
As she got on with ceremony she felt what she first thought was water but “when I looked up it was a red substance I subsequently discovered was paint.”
Ms Harney turned and saw Minihan holding “some class of a bottle” and heard her say “you have blood on your hands.”
The paint was on her shoulders and neck and “on my woollen coat and dress underneath, and my boots were damaged.” She continued with the ceremony and afterwards returned to her home to change before her next event.
“In the case of dress and coat it was not possible for dry cleaners to remove the paint,” she said adding that Minihan caused €600 to €800 worth of damages to her clothes.
She said she would not accept compensation from Minihan, but would prefer a donation to charity.
In cross-examination, defence solicitor Kieran Conway put it to her that his client’s motive was to protest and her actions were not personal.
Ms Harney replied: “I do not think it is an acceptable form of protest in a democracy.”
Minihan, who has no previous criminal convictions, opted not to go into evidence and was found guilty.