Jerry Beades indicates not guilty plea on obstructing traffic

After six court hearings, campaigner Jerry Beades has indicated he is pleading not guilty to charges of obstructing traffic and failing to give his details to a garda.

The 55-year-old builder, who heads the New Land League campaign group, was before Dublin District Court again on Thursday for his ongoing case in which he faces two charges under the Road Traffic Act.

He is accused of parking in a manner that obstructed traffic at Richmond Avenue, and failing to give identity information, on November 14th last year.

A plea had yet to be entered and Mr Beades said on Thursday he thought the case was only listed “for mention”.

Judge Patrick Clyne noted this was the sixth occasion the case has been before the court and that matters are only listed on days one and two for mention and for disclosure to be arranged.

The judge then asked him: “Is there any chance we can get shot of it?”

Mr Beades got into the witness box and said, “There is a problem with the paper work, I actually do not own the vehicle.”

The judge adjourned the case until later in the day and advised him to speak to a lawyer.

When the case resumed, his solicitor Brian Keenan addressed the court.

He had taken instructions from Mr Beades and indicated that “a date for hearing is being sought”, an indication of a not guilty plea meaning the charges will be fully contested.

Judge Clyne noted from Mr Keenan that the matter will take about 20 minutes to be heard and a November trial date was set.

The case has been before the district court on several dates since the alleged incident and on April 1st a bench warrant had been issued for not turning up.

On May 7th Mr Beades, Richmond Avenue, Fairview, Dublin, met gardaí and was brought to court, where he explained that “it was an error on my part”.

He had then said when he discovered it, he contacted gardaí and presented himself to them.