Irish People Party election candidate charged with harassing a garda

A former European election candidate for the Irish People Party has appeared before Cork District Court charged in connection with the alleged harassment of a garda.

Ross Lahive, of Church Street, Shandon in Cork, attended the Bridewell Garda Station in the city on Thursday morning by appointment. He was charged with harassing a garda on dates between October 9, 2022, and February 6, 2025. The alleged offence is contrary to Section 10 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act.

Detective Sergeant Christopher Cahill described the accused’s actions as a “campaign of harassment.” He said the impacted garda felt intimidated and distressed by the actions of the 46-year-old.

Dgt Sgt Cahill gave evidence of the arrest, charge, and caution. He said that Mr. Lahive made no reply when the charge was put to him after caution shortly before 10 a.m. on the day.

The charge arose from an incident in October 2022 at a public event where the garda was dealing with a matter. During the event, the garda arrested Mr. Lahive. It is alleged that footage of the garda was video recorded at the event and posted on social media.

Further, Dgt Sgt Cahill said that on February 22, 2023, the same garda was walking outside Cork District Court after giving evidence in a case when he was approached by Mr. Lahive and his co-accused. The garda was wearing a civilian jacket over his Garda uniform at the time.

It is alleged that the garda was accosted, verbally abused, and followed down Anglesea Street in Cork city by Mr. Lahive. The garda was allegedly recorded and live-streamed on social media by the co-accused, with video footage of the interaction subsequently posted on Facebook.

Dgt Sgt Cahill added that the garda was afraid to get on his bus home and was particularly concerned about the possibility of being followed by Mr. Lahive and his co-accused.

The State claims that the video footage was posted on Facebook later that day with a caption containing derogatory comments about the garda. The video was also allegedly reposted in August and December 2023, and again in February of this year.

Judge Dorgan accepted jurisdiction in the case in the event of a guilty plea. If the case is contested, it will be sent forward to Cork Circuit Court.

Sgt John Kelleher said that Mr. Lahive allegedly posted video footage of the garda last night and this morning. However, these postings do not form part of the charge currently before the court.

Mr. Lahive stated that he was made aware on Tuesday of his appointment with gardai on Thursday morning but insisted that bail conditions had not been discussed at that time.

When asked by Sgt Kelleher if he thought posting the video of the garda last night and this morning was appropriate, Mr. Lahive responded, “I felt that it was my constitutional right under freedom of speech.”

There was no objection to bail in the case. Mr. Lahive gave an undertaking to abide by his bail conditions, including refraining from making comments on social media about the case.

He was remanded on bail with his own bond of €1,000 and is scheduled to appear before Cork District Court again on November 20.

Free legal aid was granted. Defence solicitor Diarmuid Kelleher stated that his client was on a community employment scheme and receiving €1,000 per month. Mr. Kelleher was granted discovery of documents for the case.

Bail conditions require Mr. Lahive to refrain from any direct or indirect contact with the alleged victim. He is also prohibited from posting about anything related to the case on social media.

Additionally, Mr. Lahive must have a fully charged and in-credit mobile phone 24 hours a day to remain contactable by gardai. He is also required to sign on at the Bridewell Garda Station in Cork city twice a week while on bail.

The court heard that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had directed the summary disposal of the case at the district court level on a signed plea of guilty.
https://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/irish-people-party-election-candidate-charged-with-harassing-a-garda-1811079.html

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