A judge has ordered the arrest of an activist who allegedly drove into immigration protesters during a live-streamed incident in Dublin.
Audio visual technician and stage rigger Stephen Bedford, 36, with an address at a hostel on Usher's Quay, Dublin 8, was initially accused of dangerous driving at Amiens Street in the north inner city after a protester was hospitalised on 15 February.
Later, he was charged with dangerous driving at Seville Place, being an unaccompanied learner driver, dangerous driving causing harm to a named male at Amiens Street, and endangerment of life at the Five Lamps Junction where he allegedly drove through a crowd of people.
He was due to appear at Dublin District Court today to be served with a book of evidence and ordered to stand trial.
However, he did not turn up, and Judge Bryan Smyth issued a bench warrant.
The Director of Public Prosecution had directed trial on indictment, at a higher level, in the Circuit Court, which can, on conviction, impose harsher penalties.
Mr Bedford had already indicated he wished to have a trial before a judge and jury.
Legal aid had been granted to Mr Bedford, who had to obey bail terms: sign on regularly at a garda station, not attend demonstrations involving anti-immigration protests and not drive any motor vehicles.
