A charge of harassment against anti-immigration activist Derek Blighe has been adjourned for four weeks pending directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions and the presentation of the book of evidence in the case.
Mr Blighe, 45, of Curraghavoe, Mitchelstown, Co Cork, was charged last September with harassing a member of An Garda Síochána in a case where he allegedly video-recorded the guard and commented online - "He's terrified now and afraid to leave his home."
The charge against Mr Blighe states that "on dates between 22 February 2023 and 4 December 2023, he harassed (the named garda) contrary to Section 10 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act".
Mr Blighe's solicitor, Frank Buttimer, told Cork District Court at a hearing in November that his client would be pleading not guilty to the charge.
The court was told at the time that gardaí would require time to prepare a book of evidence in the case for the matter to be tried in the Circuit Court.
This morning, at Cork District Court, Judge John King was told the State was seeking a four-week adjournment to allow for the preparation of the book of evidence, and for directions from the DPP.
Judge King granted the application, adjourning the case until 9 February next.
He also amended Mr Blighe's bail conditions at the request of Mr Buttimer, reducing his obligation to sign on twice a week to just Wednesdays at Fermoy Garda Station.
Under the bail conditions, Mr Blighe is also to refrain from having any contact, direct or indirect, with the alleged victim in the case.
He is to be in possession of a fully charged and in-credit mobile phone 24 hours-a-day so that he can be contactable to gardaí; and Mr Blighe cannot post about anything relating to the case on social media.
