Two Dublin men arrested during a protest at Leinster House have appeared in court on public order charges.
45-year-old Philip Keogh, of Griffith Park in Finglas, and Darryl McMahon, 48, of Charlestown Park, Finglas, were brought before Judge Alan Mitchell at Dublin District Court.
Both are accused of threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour on Molesworth Street.
Mr Keogh was also charged with obstructing gardaí during the incident, while Mr McMahon is also accused of failing to comply with a garda direction to leave the area.
Garda Glen Quinn objected to bail in Mr Keogh's case only.
"Following his arrest, he informed me he would not appear before the court on these charges because he does not recognise the charges," the garda told the court.
Asking for bail, defence solicitor Donal Quigley said it was not that Mr Keogh did not recognise the charges but that he "doesn’t believe he should be charged" and did not admit them.
"It was a protest he was arrested at, and emotions in these matters can run quite high," the solicitor said.
Following a query from the judge, Garda Quinn clarified that further charges were unlikely.
The judge decided to grant bail, and the garda asked for conditions that the accused be ordered to stay away from Molesworth Street and the Houses of the Oireachtas.
However, Judge Mitchell said there was a Constitutional right of assembly and "that would be a step too far".
He granted bail on Mr Keogh’s bond of €300, with no cash lodgement required, but he must sign on at his local garda station once a week.
After noting he was employed, the judge also granted free legal aid to Mr Keogh.
There were no bail objections in Mr McMahon’s case, and his case was adjourned.
Judge Mitchell ordered disclosure of prosecution evidence to their solicitor and remanded the men on bail to appear in court again on 11 October.
