Three people who disrupted a 'drag story' event for children at a library in Co Kerry in July 2023 have been convicted of public order offences.
Two of the three have also been handed down convictions for common assault at Tralee District Court.
The court had previously heard how an event organised by Kingdom Pride at Tralee Library was disrupted when protestors "burst" into the room and began live streaming the event.
The court was told that a number of organisers, as well as a security man, were assaulted, and it was alleged that adult volunteers at the event were called prostitutes, "absolute creatures" and other names.
Children were taken to a corner of the room and organisers used umbrellas to shield them from the proceeding and from being videoed, the court had heard.
45-year-old Ross Lahive, of Church Street, Shandon Street, Cork, had denied assaulting four people, including a library security guard, a woman, a male photographer for the event and another man.
Today, Judge David Waters said he was convicting Mr Lahive, who was an Irish People Party candidate in the Ireland South constituency in the European elections, on all four assault charges contrary to Section 2 of Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997.
"There is clear evidence in relation to all four assaults," the judge said.
They included barging aside a young man on door duty, throwing a man on the ground, twisting the arm of the female and assaulting a photographer, the judge detailed.
Judge Waters said it was "beyond any doubt whatsoever" there was a breach of public order by Lahive.
37-year-old Margo Mills, of Carnloch Drive, The Glen, Cork, had denied using threatening and abusive words or behaviour, contrary to Section 6 of the Public Order Act.
Mills had also denied assaulting another woman, contrary to Section 2 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act.
Judge Waters said he had no doubt about the threatening and abusive behaviour by Mills, also convicting her of assault, though the assault was more a technical matter.
A third man, Stephen McGeough, 57, of Devonshire Street, Cork, had also denied the use of threatening or insulting words provoking breach of the peace under the Public Order Act. He too was convicted.
Regarding the video of the library event, posted online, Judge Waters said: "The witnesses I viewed remained calm in the face of appalling provocation and behavior including name-calling, assaults vitriol and appalling comments."
The judge also said he was certain what took place was "premeditated".
They had travelled in a group deliberately to attend the event and to intervene and their behaviour was reckless as to breach of the peace.
Eugene Manley, barrister for the three convicted said his clients were in shock at the decision to convict.
All three will be sentenced on Friday, while each of the five victims of assault are entitled to give victim impact statements.
State solicitor Diane Reidy is to arrange to contact all five in advance of the matter being finalised on Friday.
