One of the country's best-known peace activists was yesterday charged with entering a temporary exclusion zone established in the Shannon estuary on the day of the visit of President George Bush to Ireland.
Mr Edward Horgan (59), from Castletroy, Limerick, a former Irish Army commandant, was arrested on a boat in the Shannon estuary on June 25th while planning a demonstration against Mr Bush's visit to Dromoland. With Mr Horgan in the boat at the time were Ms EibhlíNí Hir (21), from Quigley's Point, Co Donegal, and Mr Aaron Baker (26), West Lodge, Athlone.
Later that day the three appeared at a special sitting of Ennis District Court and were charged with resisting the orders of a garda at Inishcullen contrary to the Public Order Act.
They were released on bail on condition that they stay away from the airport and Dromoland Castle for the duration of the visit.
They made their second appearance at Ennis District Court yesterday where the new charge of entering a temporary exclusion zone on the Shannon estuary was brought against them.
The court was told that when Mr Horgan was formally charged before the court sitting yesterday, he responded by saying: "I believe that I was unlawfully arrested on the day and I will be challenging the legality of that arrest."
The solicitor for the defendants, Mr Pat Daly, formally requested copies of all statements and the video of the incident taken by the Garda helicopter.
He also sought the disclosure of an order, if one exists, allowing the State to monitor the correspondence and phone calls of Mr Horgan.
Insp Tom Kennedy of Ennis Garda station said he was not aware that such an order existed. Judge Joseph Mangan said Mr Daly could renew his application for such an order at a later date if Insp Kennedy can establish that there is such an order. Judge Mangan acceded to the application for the helicopter video and copies of statements.
The judge also dispensed with the bail conditions excluding the defendants from Shannon and Dromoland.
The three were remanded on continuing bail to reappear before Ennis District Court on September 3rd to fix a date for the hearing.
A fourth person also appeared before the court yesterday who was also arrested on the day of the Bush visit. Ms Kathleen O'Donoghue (47), Christchurch Place, Dublin, is charged with possession of a knife.
She was arrested at Shannon Airport, and at her previous court appearance her solicitor said Ms O'Donoghue was a drama teacher who had in her luggage a cutting tool as part of her teaching equipment. She was also remanded to reappear before Ennis District Court on September 3rd.
