Man in court after protest at refugee accommodation site

A 33-year-old man has appeared in court on charges relating to a protest at a site earmarked for modular housing units which will be used to house refugees.

Michael Kennedy, of Glenconnor Hill, Clonmel, Co Tipperary, was brought before Youghal District Court on three charges arising from incidents that happened at the site on Haywood Road in Clonmel yesterday.

He was arrested at the site at the entrance to the development yesterday.

Mr Kennedy was charged with a public order offence, criminal damage and a Section 2 assault.

Sergeant Tom O’Brien told Judge Brian O’Shea there was no objection to bail, on condition the defendant adheres to a number of bail conditions.

He said the incidents happened on Haywood Road at a site where work was going on in relation to the building of modular homes.

He asked that Mr Kennedy stay away from the site.

But when he asked that the defendant would not get involved in protests there, Judge O’Shea said he could not impose the latter as people had a democratic right to protest lawfully.

Mr Kennedy, who said he was in receipt of social welfare, was granted free legal aid.

He was accompanied by a number of people into the court.

He was remanded on bail to appear before Clonmel District Court on 18 June.