23 appear at special court sitting

A total of 23 people appeared before a special sitting of Cloverhill District Court early yesterday on charges relating to Saturday evening's disturbances.

Most were Irish students in their 20s. Only one had an address outside the Republic. All but one were charged with public order offences. The exception was a 20-year-old man who was accused of stealing a Garda cap.

Almost all were remanded in custody but nearly half were granted consent to independent bail, which means they can be released upon meeting certain conditions. Those denied bail are due to remain in custody until the cases come before the court for mention on Wednesday.

Judge James P. McConnell released on his own bail a 22-year-old Dublin man - Mr Paul Slater, Delwood Grove, Castleknock - who said he had been trying to get home by bus when its route was blocked by the protest and he had to get off.

Mr Fergal Mawe (21), of Meadowbrook Crescent, Maynooth, was charged with a breach of the peace and with failure to comply with the direction of a garda. A student of history and sociology at NUI Maynooth, he said that he "was in a peaceful protest. All of a sudden the riot police came and I was in the front. I was hit once, twice, three times and then I was thrown in. I did not provoke any kind of action".

Ms Miranda Egan-Langley (25), an archaeology student at Trinity College, was charged with failure to comply with an instruction by a garda and was initially remanded in custody. When a solicitor later applied for bail for her Garda Sgt Brendan Stynes said Ms Langley-Egan was likely to face a further charge of handling stolen property. Asked what was the nature of the stolen property, he replied: "A Garda hat, judge." She was then remanded in custody with consent to independent bail.

A Garda told the court that Ms Mary Hennessy (24), High Street, Kilkenny, was unwell and had received medical attention.Charged with a breach of the peace and failure to comply with the instruction of a garda, she said she was a chronic pain sufferer as a result of a road traffic accident two years ago. "I also suffer from arthritis and I got wet," she added. Judge McConnell directed that the governor of Mountjoy women's prison provide medical attention and dry clothes.

In almost all cases the bail conditions were set as personal bail of €500 and an independent surety of €500 or two sureties of €250 each, as well as €500 in cash. All of the accused except Mr Slater were remanded until Wednesday.

Also charged with a breach of the peace and failure to comply with the direction of a Garda were: Ms Natalie Donoghue (24), Hollybank Road, Drumcondra (remanded in custody); Mr Tom Barkley (21), Leinster Road, Rathmines (custody); Mr Fergus Robson, Leeson Park, Ranelagh (custody); Mr Anthony Hogan (24), Barton Drive, Rathfarnham (custody with consent to bail); Mr David McNamara (24), Ashfield, Old Portmarnock (custody); Mr Tony Power (29), Riverwood Gardens, Castleknock (custody); Mr Killian Dowling (19), Georgian Village, Castleknock (custody); Mr SeáMcKenna (25), Grange Road, Baldoyle (custody with consent to bail; Mr Conor Lynch (22), Tybroghney, Piltown, Co Kilkenny (custody); Mr David Irwin (21), Ballymackeigh, Killeagh, Co Cork (custody with consent to bail); Mr Robert McKevitt (26), Collinstown Grove, Clondalkin (custody); Mr Dan Glass (20), Deanwood, New Barnett, Hertfordshire, England (custody).

Charged with a breach of the peace were Mr David Storey (21), Windmill Avenue, Swords (custody with consent to bail); Mr Stephen McCann (21), Waltham Terrace, Blackrock, Co Dublin (custody with consent to bail); Mr Barry O'Donovan (31), High Street, Kilkenny (custody with consent to bail); Mr Seán McGrath (20), Aughrim, Co Wicklow (custody with consent to bail). Charged with public drunkenness and a breach of the peace were: Mr James O'Hare (42), Hollybank Road, Drumcondra (custody); Mr Lee Cummins (21), Ashbrook Terrace, Appian Way, Ranelagh (custody). Mr Harry Johnstone (20), Rathgar Road, Dublin 6, was charged with stealing a Garda cap and was remanded in custody with consent to bail.