State drops charges against Anglo Avenger

State withdraws charges against Anglo Avenger


Joe McNamara vows to cease protests

Trevor Quinn

Achill Island man and property developer Joe McNamara (frequently nicknamed ‘The Anglo Avenger’ by the media) stated last week that he will cease any further protests. The statement was made after the State dropped its charges against him for unlawfully parking a cherry-picker truck outside Leinster House.
The 41-year-old, who gave his address as Dun na Carraige, Blackrock, Co Galway, parked a cherry picker covered with protest slogans at DΡil Eireann last December.
After the incident, which resulted in his arrest, Mr McNamara was remanded in custody, but hours later he was released by order of the High Court. After several adjournments, the case was finally heard last Tuesday, after directions were sent by the DPP.
Defence solicitor Mr Cahir O’Higgins informed Judge Early when the case was called that it was his understanding that the application of the State was to have the charges withdrawn adding, “Mr McNamara is asking me to say that he is appreciative of the fair and sensible approach adopted by the State and that he regrets any inconvenience or any waste of State resources.”
Outside the court, Mr O’Higgins read a statement on behalf of Mr McNamara: “Joe is just anxious to say that he is very relieved that the charges have been withdrawn. He thinks it is the right result, he had never intended any level of criminal action or activity whatsoever. His protest was always about discontent with the way the country was being run, the way he had been treated.”
Last March, criminal charges were dropped in relation to Mr McNamara in relation to a separate incident on September 29, where he drove a cement lorry up to the gates of Leinster House with the words ‘Anglo’ and ‘Toxic Bank’ painted on the side of the vehicle.
On that occasion Mr McNamara stated that he was exercising his constitutional rights to express opinions.