Political activist Ben Gilroy has alleged that witnesses who say they saw him being served with a contempt of court notice at a stud farm repossession protest may have been “coached” or may be lying.
Mr Gilroy, a founder of Direct Democracy Ireland, yesterday got an adjournment to next month of a High Court hearing of contempt proceedings against him after complaining he had not got an opportunity to respond to affidavits from the witnesses.
Mr Gilroy said that although yesterday’s hearing date over his alleged contempt had been set by the court two months ago, it was not until last weekend he received the affidavits of the three witnesses which came as email attachments he was unable to open.
He also received a post office notice on Monday night saying a registered letter was being held at his local collection office, which he believed contained the hard copy affidavits, but which he had not yet had a chance to collect.
Time to respond
He needed time to respond to those affidavits which, the receivers contend, prove Mr Gilroy was aware he faced possible jailing for contempt for interference with the receivership of the 120-acre stud farm at Brannockstown, Naas.
Mr Justice Seán Ryan said Mr Gilroy should not have to deal with new affidavits at this late stage and it was in the interests of justice that he should be granted an adjournment until next month.