May Day riot

Victor

I'm just wondering, what became of all those arrested (24?)? Were there any successful prosecutions?

http://www.rte.ie/news/2006/0511/ryana.html

Woman suing State over May Day arrest
11 May 2006 19:58

A 39-year-old Dublin woman who claims that she was assaulted by gardaí, wrongfully arrested and maliciously prosecuted is suing the Garda Commissioner and the State for damages.

In the High Court today, Annette Ryan, from Rathgar Avenue in Dublin, denied drunken or disorderly behaviour during the 'Reclaim the Streets' protest in Dublin in May 2002 when the arrest occurred.

She told a High Court jury today that she went out that day looking forward to a party, listening to music and enjoying herself.

Instead, she found herself in garda custody in Pearse Street Garda Station, strip-searched and charged with loitering, drunk and disorderly behaviour and using threatening and abusive language.

After about five subsequent appearances in the District Court she was told the charges were dropped but she never received any apology or explanation.

In the witness box today she said she wants justice for her alleged wrongful arrest.

The action, which continues tomorrow, is being fully contested and challenged by the State.

[edit]Just did some google searches. There is nothing on ww.rte.ie about it on the day. The next day has these stories.

http://www.rte.ie/news/2002/0507/demos.html
http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/front/2002/0507/2134307155HM1RIOT.html

However, this was there: http://www.rte.ie/news/2002/0507/donegal.html

Eru

I dont think theres a way too answer this question unless you can track down the news reports for all cases which I doubt exists (after the first few the press stopped caring).

I would imagine the majority were convicted and fined, etc. Some probable found innocent and some more struck out for various reasons.

BTW, the reason why Corcoran wasnt wearing his numbers was because he actually wasnt working the parade, he went in when backup was called. Hes actually a nice guy.

Dave!

Anyone got a link to a video of the hippies gettin bashed?

Eru

DaveMcG wrote:

Anyone got a link to a video of the hippies gettin bashed?

Try Indymedia.ie

maidhc

Karlitosway1978 wrote:

BTW, the reason why Corcoran wasnt wearing his numbers was because he actually wasnt working the parade, he went in when backup was called. Hes actually a nice guy.

He got some crap press over it though! Is promotion ever going to be an option?

padser

maidhc wrote:

He got some crap press over it though! Is promotion ever going to be an option?

Yeah you got to feel really sorry for the poor guy.

:rolleyes:

http://www.indymedia.ie/article/3780

http://www.indymedia.ie/article/3823

http://www.indymedia.ie/article/4047

maidhc

padser wrote:

Yeah you got to feel really sorry for the poor guy.

I presume that is sarcasm?

In fairness it is easy for people to be judgmental after the event. Corcoran misread the situation perhaps, but in the thick of it someone has to make decisions, he happened to make the wrong ones. The May Day protests could easily have turned into Love Ulster riots, perhaps it was because of the Gardaí they didn't and perhaps the Love Ulster mess was a direct result of the negative PR they received from this event.

Crash

Personally i think the gardai used their chance way too early - should've waited and pulled the may day stuff at the love Ulster riots

Eru

well they couldnt officially not promote him but I get the impression they are using him as a sacraficial lamb at the moment so it depends how that goes.

Padser,
Whats your point? Gardai are allowed us their batons and a judge and jury declared it was used in accordance with law. Oh and good non-biased link there, really showed a true fair picture.

Turner

I cannot see why she was strip searched. A normal search is allowed but underwear cannot be removed, not without a doctor present and only in special circumstances.

If they thought she might hang herself (which an unbelievable amount of people try to do while in garda cells) with her bra or underwear they could remove it with the preservation of life in mind.


As for Garda Corcoran he was found not guilty by a judge and jury of his peers. End of story.

Gardai are allowed to use force if they feel they might be overpowered and in a riot situation where it might be 1000 rioters v 100 gardai, batons and other reasonable force that is necessary is allowed.

Trojan911

Chief--- wrote:

I cannot see why she was strip searched. A normal search is allowed but underwear cannot be removed, not without a doctor present and only in special circumstances.

It is possible there may have been suspicion of possession of illegal substances there and she was possibly strip searched for this reason.

TJ911...

Victor

Trojan911 wrote:

It is possible there may have been suspicion of possession of illegal substances there and she was possibly strip searched for this reason.

That or looking for digital media.

Turner

I thought the only way you could get somebody to remove underwear was if explosives was suspected.

If drugs are hidden internally (vagina and anus) there is no law present that allows authorities to conduct an internal exam.

dermot_sheehan

Chief--- wrote:

I thought the only way you could get somebody to remove underwear was if explosives was suspected.

If drugs are hidden internally (vagina and anus) there is no law present that allows authorities to conduct an internal exam.

s. 23 (A) misuse of drugs Act http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/ZZA12Y1977S23.html

Turner

But that does not cater for any internal search.

I doubt that any doctor would participate in such a procedure, and if somebody was to resist you couldnt exactly use force to conduct it.

Dave!

It doesn't say that she was searched internally does it? Just strip-searched..

Turner

I have never heard of anybody being strip searched as in stripped naked in a garda station without the presence of a doctor. It does say where practicable a doctor should do it.




There are rules governing searching prisoners in the Criminal Justice Act 1984.

17. (1) A member conducting a search of a person in custody shall ensure, so far as practicable, that the person understands the reason for the search and that it is conducted with due respect for the person being searched.

(2) A person in custody shall not be searched by a person (other than a doctor) of the opposite sex.

(3) Where a search of a person in custody involves removal of clothing, other than headgear or a coat, jacket, glove or similar article of clothing, no person of the opposite sex shall be present unless either that person is a doctor or the member in charge considers that the presence of that person is necessary by reason of the violent conduct of the person to be searched.

(4) A search of a person in custody involving removal of underclothing shall, where practicable, be carried out by a doctor.

(5) Where clothing or footwear of a person is retained, replacements of a reasonable standard shall be provided.

(6) A record shall be made of a search of a person in custody including the name of the person conducting the search and the names of those present.

(7) Particulars of any property taken from or handed over by a person in custody shall be recorded. The person shall be asked to sign the record of such property as being correct. If he refuses to do so, the refusal shall be recorded at the time of refusal.

Trojan911

Chief--- wrote:

But that does not cater for any internal search.

I doubt that any doctor would participate in such a procedure, and if somebody was to resist you couldnt exactly use force to conduct it.

Chief,

This sounds like a basic straight forward strip search i.e. Clothes removed, squat down (anything hidden in the anus normally pops out when the squat is adopted) & visual observations made. An internal does require a doctor to, lets say, go a bit deeper & a lot more authority is required...

TJ911...