Judge Kevin Haugh has sharply criticised anti-drugs vigilante groups and warned that their formation is likely to lead to confrontation.
He made his comments at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court when imposing suspended sentences of six months on four men for attacking an anti-drugs protester.
The court heard at least 10 men had fought on each side in a street fight over threats made to one of the defendants about alleged drugdealing. Iron bars and pickaxes were thrown from flats to help the anti-drug group.
The four, Freddie Sunner (52) and his son John Paul (19), of Canon Lillis Avenue, Dublin 1, along with Christopher Whelan (27), of Lower Oriel Street, Dublin 1 and Brendan Reilly (34), Courtney Place, Dublin 1, pleaded guilty to common assault on Mr Kevin Reid at Courtney Place, Ballybough, on April 7th, 1997.
Det Garda Tim Daly told Mr Tom O'Connell, prosecuting, that a group called Ballybough against Drugs (BAD) had been picketing the home of Brendan Reilly for several months. There was frequently trouble at the protests but confrontations had eased recently.
On the day of the offence, John Paul Sunner and his young nephew were going to Reilly's home. Mr Reid and other members of BAD stopped Sunner, accused him of being a drugdealer and struck him in the face.
Sunner ran home and soon his father returned with 12-15 men. A fight broke out with the protesters and Mr Reid was cornered. He was badly beaten and later received treatment for a broken finger and received three stitches to the head. Christopher Whelan received a cheek bone fracture.
Det Garda Daly agreed with Ms Isobel Kennedy, defending, that Freddie Sunner's daughter, who was living in Courtney Place with O'Reilly, had made complaints that the protesters had smashed windows and broken down a door to the flat. Charges were being brought against four people.
Ms Kennedy said her client was now drug-free and had AIDS as a result of drug-taking.
Referring to the vigilantes, Judge Haugh said the case illustrated the danger when people took into their own hands what was best left to the Garda.
Of the gang put together to confront the anti-drug protesters, Judge Haugh said he was satisfied it was not formed for physical violence but "as night follows day" such groups led to trouble.
He noted three of the defendants had no previous convictions. Reilly had 34 convictions for larceny, traffic offences and drug possession, but violence was not included.