Twelve young men charged with public-order offences, arising from incidents during May Day protests at the Phoenix Park in Dublin, were granted bail by the High Court yesterday evening.
Although gardaí had not objected to bail when the 12 appeared earlier yesterday before the District Court, Judge John Coughlan refused bail because of what he described as the "serious nature" of the alleged offences. He remanded all 12, who were described as having no previous convictions, in custody to Cloverhill Prison.
Proceedings challenging the legality of the detention were then initiated, under Article 40 of the Constitution, in the High Court by counsel on behalf of the 12. Mr Justice Kearns said he would treat the matter as a bail application.
Mr Justice Kearns was told by Sgt Brendan Hynes the 12 were charged with offences under the Public Order Act arising from events at Ashtown Gate in the Phoenix Park, on May 1st last. He said the gardaí were not objecting to bail being granted to all 12, subject to a number of terms. Neither had the gardaí objected to bail at the District Court hearing.
After hearing from five senior counsel on behalf of the 12, the judge made orders releasing all 12 on bail, subject to a number of conditions, including lodgment of bonds ranging from €100 to €500. Some were also required to sign on a number of times weekly at their local Garda stations.
When Mr Maurice Gaffney SC, for some of the applicants, applied for the costs of yesterday's hearing, the judge said he would make no order for costs.
The 12 include two UK nationals, one of whom is a student at Sussex University, and a number of students here, including some who will be doing exams shortly. Most were said to have addresses in Dublin, while one had an address in Co Kilkenny.