The leaseholder, Townbe Unlimited Company, and the developer, Remcoll Capital Ltd., of the erstwhile Crown Paints factory in Coolock, Dublin, have been discouraged by the Gardaí from affixing a judicial verdict to the factory’s main entrance amid concerns regarding safety, according to what a judge has been informed.
On Wednesday, the ruling of High Court’s Mr Justice Rory Mulcahy, which restricts individuals from attending and indulging in activities with the intent to threaten, hinder or intimidate the contractors at work at the property, was prolonged. This came in response to considerable disquiet regarding plans to convert the site into a lodging space for those seeking international protection.
The aforementioned injunctions were sought against unnamed individuals who aim to protest at the facility and four specific individuals by Townbe Unlimited Company and Remcoll Capital Ltd. These companies have suggested that once identifiable, more relevant individuals will be added to the list of defendants.
The court has been made aware of the large number of individuals, often wearing ski masks and balaclavas, gathering near the property, thus hindering identification. Bernard Dunleavy, the senior counsel for the plaintiff companies, expressed that they find themselves in a precarious situation as the Gardaí continue to suggest that they delay the attaching of orders to the factory gate. He stated that his clients communicate with the Gardaí twice in a daily basis at the very least.
Dunleavy further shared that the orders had been advertised in a couple of newspapers and that three of the four identified individuals have received the orders at their residences. He mentioned that two of these defendants had ambushed at the recent local elections: Kevin Coyle from Corbally Rise, Saggart, and Leon Bradley from Virginia Park, Finglas.
It has been claimed that Mr Coyle trespassed the property, as he shared a video online, filmed at the property on July 21st. Mr Bradley is alleged to have admitted on social media platforms to have thrown rocks on the property’s roof on July 21st.
A gentleman named Sean Rush, who also goes by Shaun Crowe, and lives on Edenmore Avenue in Coolock, has been accused of establishing the Coolock Says No X page and inciting disorder and unrest at a particular property. A fourth individual was added as an involved party due to allegations of trespassing however, his identity remains unrevealed, pending the discovery of his place of residence by the accusing companies. Surprisingly, the quartet did not present themselves in court this past Wednesday to remark on the allegations presented against them.
Upon learning about the challenges involved in handing out notices at the site, the presiding judge expressed concern about interfering with any Garda advice. In a previous week, he had allowed advertisements in print media as an alternate method of summoning. He suggested the possibility of extending the injunctions, with the hearing set to continue in court in October. However, he opened the possibility for interested parties to come to court before that, if required.
The court was informed the previous week that there had been a minimum of six firebombing incidents at the property, resulting in two security officers and a member of the Garda being admitted to the hospital due to injuries sustained during violent altercations there. Over 20 individuals have attended the Dublin District Court to answer to public disruption charges linked with recent events. They had been allowed bail under the stipulation they maintain a distance from the factory.