A District Court judge yesterday asked a Garda inspector if Garda reinforcements were needed in court after he accused anti-war protesters of interfering with the administration of justice in his court.
Judge Joseph Mangan asked Insp Tom Kennedy if reinforcements were needed after Judge Mangan ordered gardaí to bring two anti-war activists before him in response to the unfurling of an anti-war banner outside Tulla Courthouse, Co Clare, while a case involving two other anti-war activists was being heard.
Insp Kennedy said that reinforcements would not be needed.
Member of Refuelling Peace Mr Tim Hourigan and anti-war activist Mr Owen Rice, Ballydoo Road, Mayobridge, Co Down, were brought before Judge Mangan and he ordered that they be detained at Tulla Garda station until the end of the case and that the banner be confiscated.
Mr Hourigan was earlier ordered out of court by Judge Mangan over wearing an anti-war T-shirt featuring President Bush.
Mr Hourigan, along with a number of other anti-war activists, was at Tulla District Court to hear the case against two members of the Catholic Worker movement over an alleged incursion into the airfield at Shannon Airport on Good Friday last, April 18th.
Both Ms Jenny Hannon (20), Whitestown, Blanchardstown, Dublin, and Mr Martin McGowan (43), Carrowquinn, Knocknahoar, Sligo, yesterday pleaded not guilty to the offence.
Judge Mangan indicated that they could not use the US/Iraq issue as a defence.
The case was adjourned to July 24th.
