An anti-immigration activist who stood as a candidate in last year's European Elections has appeared in court charged with harassing a member of An Garda Síochána.
Derek Blighe, aged 45 with an address at Carraghhavoe, Mitchelstown, appeared in Cork District Court today charged with harassing the garda on dates between 23 February 2023 and 4 December 2023.
Detective Sergeant Christopher Cahill alleged that Mr Blighe and another man were involved in a "ten-month campaign of harassment" against the garda.
His co-accused has yet to appear before the court.
Detective Sergeant Cahill gave evidence of arresting Mr Blighe at 7.20am today at Ballygiblin, Cork and taking him to Togher Garda Station where he was charged.
When cautioned, Mr Blighe said: "No comment".
Judge Mary Dorgan was told that the Director of Public Prosecutions had directed the summary disposal of the case at district court level on a signed plea of guilty.
Det Sgt Cahill told Judge Dorgan that the allegation is that over a ten-month period from February 2023 to December 2023 that the Garda was harassed by Mr Blighe and a co-accused, who is not yet before the court.
He said that in February 2023 Mr Blighe allegedly live streamed an incident in which another man followed and verbally abused the garda who was wearing a civilian jacket and followed him as he attempted to go to the bus station to go home.
A video of the incident was allegedly posted by the accused with captions that had derogatory comments, and was viewed 7,000 times over a few days.
It is alleged Mr Blighe went on to re-post the video over the following months with comment and in December Mr Blighe allegedly posted that the garda was terrified and was now afraid to leave his home.
Det Sgt Cahill described the offence as "a ten-month campaign of harassment" and said the complainant in the case would say the filming incident and all the subsequent social postings had a negative effect on him and his family and has caused them considerable distress.
Judge Dorgan said the charge was at the "very high end of what the court would accept" and she will only accept jurisdiction on a signed guilty plea.
Defence solicitor Frank Buttimer applied for a six-to-eight week adjournment.
He sought the release of evidential material and said he would then take instructions from his client.
An application for free legal aid would be made at the next hearing of the case, Mr Buttimer said.
Although Mr Blighe is working, he said he needs to assess his means.
Judge Dorgan granted bail subject to a number of conditions.
These included Mr Blighe signing a bond of €500, signing on twice weekly at Fermoy Garda Station, that he have no direct or indirect contact with the victim or any witness in the case.
The conditions also included that he does not post any video or communications relating to the matter online, and that he be in possession of a charged mobile phone that he can be contacted on by gardaí.
The case was adjourned until 18 November next.
