A former IT worker has been jailed for 15 months for two acts of animal cruelty linked to protests against asylum seeker housing.
In June 2024, security guards at Thornton Hall in north Dublin found two pigs with stab and slash wounds, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard.
The 160 acre site was previously earmarked for a super prison but in 2024 plans emerged for an accommodation centre for international protection applicants on the site.
Darren Jackson, 40, of Rivermeade, Co Dublin admitted driving four pigs from a farm in Cavan to the site, but said that an accomplice used a scalpel to injure the animals.
The court heard that some of the men involved in the incident believed that by allowing pigs and pig blood onto the site, Muslim people would be prevented from going on to it due to religious observances.
Garda Philip Walsh gave evidence that Jackson had left a voice note for his brother telling him he needed "knives and scalpels" for a "job".
He went on to invite his brother to join him, saying: "If you want to do a job with us, it will be great craic."
The court heard that a little after 5pm on 26 June 2024, security guards saw two men entering the site and followed them to a spot where they found three pigs.
One of the animals had 5cm long cuts and was missing a front leg and was squealing while another one had cuts to the stomach.
The cuts were between four and five centimetres deep. A vet who called to the scene concluded that the four pigs brought onto the site were likely "cast off" farm animals.
The two injured animals were ultimately put down while the other two were re-homed.
After his arrest, Jackson told gardaí his actions "had nothing to do with God or colour" and that "it's not the people's fault", meaning immigrants, the court heard.
He subsequently pleaded guilty to two counts of animal cruelty.
Cathal McGreal BL, defending, said that his client told gardaí that he was homeless at the time and sleeping in a tent on the site.
He said his protest was about the lack of resources and what he was getting.
He said there were other men on the site due to the ongoing protests against the plans for the international protection accommodation centre.
He said there were discussions with these men about stopping the centre "indefinitely".
"Somebody brought up the idea of pigs. I said they were idiots," he told gardaí, claiming that he also made a point about the 1916 Proclamation guaranteeing "freedom for all".
He said he then told the men he knew somebody who could get pigs, saying: "I know how to get pigs for a barbeque."
He claimed he believed the animals would be let off.
A text message was found on his phone stating: "Ring that farmer first thing, get the contract for the dead."
Garda Walsh said during garda interviews, Jackson "distanced himself from any real responsibility" and refused to name others involved, citing fears for his own well being.
Garda Walsh said that investigators found video footage showing Jackson driving his van wearing a balaclava and singing versions of IRA songs modified to include the words pigs.
The court heard it is believed that the footage is of Jackson driving the pigs from Cavan.
Mr McGreal said this was not a crime for which his client is proud and he will live with the shame of it.
Judge Martin Nolan said that "to attack pigs in this way was a pretty base thing to do".
He said that Jackson was keeping bad company at the time. He said he could accept that Jackson was not the "author of this scheme" but he participated in it.
He noted Jackson's good work record. He set a headline sentence of two years which he reduced to 15 months on the basis of the "substantial mitigations".
Jackson has five previous convictions including assault.
The court heard he has made a payment of €1,000 to an animal welfare trust.
