Three men allege Corrib Garda assaults in High Court

Three men allege Corrib Garda assaults in High Court

A case involving three men in north Mayo was before the High Court last week. The Court heard evidence of alleged assaults by members of the Garda Siochana during a protest at the Corrib Gas field back in 2007.

Civil actions are being taken by Patrick Coyle, a farmer, Barnatra, Ballina, and brothers Patrick O’Donnell and Martin O’Donnell, Shore, Porturlin, Ballina, both fishermen, over the alleged assaults. The men have sued the Garda Commissioner and the State for damages arising from alleged assaults on them during a protest near the Shell refinery on January 19, 2007.

The three cases are being heard together before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury. Mr Michéal P O’Higgins, SC for the three men, said the assaults occurred when a ‘large number’ of gardai were dealing with a protest involving about 80 people near Bellanaboy bridge as a convoy of workers and others approached the Shell refinery sometime after 7.30am. Counsel said the Gardai involved denied the claims and it would be for the jury to decide whether they believed his clients’ accounts of what happened or preferred those of the gardai.

The case heard lengthy evidence last week and is expected to continue in the High Court this week.