Shirley Kidd, a 54-year-old resident of The Avenue, Fox Lodge, Ratoath, Co Meath, has been released on bail after being arrested for allegedly obstructing traffic around the Thornton Hall location in northern Dublin County. This location is currently being made ready to house individuals seeking international protection. Following her arrest, Kidd made an appearance at the Dublin District Court on Thursday.
Judge Cephas Power ruled that she should avoid the Thornton Hall site, but denied a request by the Gardai for her to not attend protests. In June, the Government announced plans to set up temporary tented accommodations near the Meath – Dublin border. These tents would provide living spaces for roughly 1,000 asylum seekers.
Significant challenges faced by Ireland due to housing shortages have become evident as the population growth rate outpaces construction of new homes nearly four times over. Other events have dampened the mood, including recent controversies involving MrBeast, a top YouTube celebrity, and implications of Trump’s talks with Elon Musk. In an unrelated issue, a garda tasked with protecting a cabinet member allegedly misplaced his firearm in a Ted Baker dressing room.
Shirley Kidd was allegedly involved in protests at the entrance of the site. She has been charged with wilfully obstructing free passage of vehicles on the R135 road at Coolquay on August 14th 2024. Kidd also faces two other Public Order Act offences which include using threatening, abusive or insulting language and failing to obey a garda’s order to evacuate the area.
Sergeant Rachel Goggins of Court Garda presented details of Kidd’s arrest, charge, and caution procedures to Judge Power, and specified conditions for bail including signing in three times weekly at a Garda station and avoidance of protests. To clarify these conditions, Judge Power decided that Kidd must not approach Thornton Hall and must adhere to the set reporting schedule at the Garda station.
On fulfilling the bail conditions with an amount of €200 and commitment to court appearance at Balbriggan District Court on September 9th, Kidd was granted legal aid and released. She is anticipated to plead at this hearing, and a subsequent hearing date will be scheduled if she chooses to dispute the charge.
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