A 36-year-old man who abused builders and ordered them to leave a disused hotel they were renovating in Co Wicklow last year has been convicted of a criminal offence and fined.
Philip Lifely, from Rednagh Hill, Aughrim in Co Wicklow, was found guilty of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent to provoke a breach of the peace at Lawless Hotel car park in Aughrim on 29 April last year.
A crowd of protesters had gathered at the hotel that day apparently in the mistaken belief that it was being renovated to accommodate people seeking asylum.
The Department of Integration confirmed at the time that the building was not being used for international protection applicants, but Lifely threatened and abused the builder and ordered him to leave the site.
Footage uploaded on social media which was played in court and remains online, shows Philip Lifely telling the builder to "get the f**k out, end of".
Lifely then asks the crowd if "anyone else agree with that?" "Should they get the f**k out?"
"We’re not here to f**king talk to them, get out, with your f**king crew," he shouts at the builder.
"Get the f**k out, in the van, get out, now."
The crowd then starts clapping and shouting "out out out" before Lifely shouts again at the builder "go on, get the f**k, what are you standing there for, want me to pack your tools up, do you?"
The builder stands there looking down without replying and Lifely then shouts at him: "I’m giving you an hour, get the f**k out or I’ll pack your f**king tools up."
"We’re not talking anymore, that’s it, we’re fed up, fed up," he also shouts.
Gardaí in Wicklow commenced a criminal investigation and Lifely was arrested four days later and subsequently charged with an offence under Section 6 of the Public Order Act.
He was convicted at Arklow District Court and Judge David Kennedy fined him €750.
Ireland First candidate Darren McGovern, who failed to be elected to Wexford County Council last year, is also seen in the video last year telling the builder "you can understand the frustration of the people, and it’s warranted, it is warranted".
Mr Mc Govern announces to applause that the builder has agreed to pull his team off site within an hour and tells everybody to remain "to give him the opportunity" to leave.
He did not commit any criminal offence.
The Government has condemned attacks on and the intimidation of workers.
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has said people have a right to go to work and to go about their lawful business without interruption or being intimidated.
The incident was also one of a number in which the gardaí issued a statement warning about online misinformation, disinformation and fake news.
Gardaí also confirmed last year that the premises had not been designated for use by IPAS.
Gardai said that the protest in Aughrim last year took place because misinformation, disinformation and fake news had been circulated locally and nationally which directly impacted on the livelihood of the workers and diverted and wasted garda resources and time from community engagement in the local area.
An Garda Síochána said it has regularly highlighted the rise in the level of misinformation, disinformation and fake news.
Misinformation, disinformation and fake news, as occurred in this case, is typically amplified by multiple accounts in order to spread fear and concern in peaceful communities with incorrect and dangerous misconceptions, particularly in relation to International Protection and Minority groups, gardaí said.
An Garda Síochána appealed to all members of the public to independently verify any information that they read on social media and/or messaging apps.
There is a constitutional right to assemble peaceably, subject to statutory provisions.
An Garda Síochána said it respects the right for citizens to exercise their constitutional rights subject to statutory provisions, including the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1984 amongst other legislation.
