An Aran Islander climbed an Eircom mast and stayed there for 35 minutes in freezing conditions in protest at what he claims is Galway County Council's delay in housing him and his family.
Mr Ray Fitzgerald, of Onaght, Kilronan, Aran Islands, appeared before the court on the island yesterday charged with trespassing at the site of an Eircom mast at Kilronan on January 27th.
The court was told the emergency services were called after the accused man, who had drunk a lot of alcohol, climbed the mast and lay down on a platform at the top in freezing and stormy conditions.
Gardaí said the accused man, who was not in court, was protesting because he, his partner and their three children have been living in a caravan for 11 years.
Judge John Garavan said he had some sympathy for the accused, but if he applied the Probation Act others might do similar dangerous and bizarre things. He bound Mr Fitzgerald to keep the peace for two years on condition he stay away from public property, including the mast.