Garda chief asked to release probe on demo

THE courts yesterday heard an application calling on Garda Commissioner Pat Byrne to release the force's internal investigation into last May's Reclaim the Streets demo in Dublin.

Dara Robinson BL for Fergus Haverty-Stacke and others said he believed the internal inquiry was nearing completion and made an application in the Dublin District Court for it to be disclosed to him.

Mr Haverty-Stacke, of Brighton Rd, Rathgar, Dublin 6, was one of 11 protesters up before the court on charges in relation to the demonstration. Mr Haverty-Stacke, 26, who had been charged under section six of the Public Order Act and with assaulting a garda had his charges changed yesterday to obstructing a garda. Judge McNulty adjourned Haverty-Stacke's case until November 18 The accused was remanded on bail.

Another man before the court yesterday had his charges thrown out after the DPP failed to issue directions.

Steve Humphreys, a photographer with The Irish Independent, was charged with assaulting a garda on May 6. Mr Humprheys, 31, of Curzon St, Dublin 8, was told the State was not in a position to proceed. Judge McNulty ordered the charges be struck out.

The remaining co-accused are charged with public order offences, using abusive language, criminal damage, assaulting a garda and failure to follow the command of a garda.

They are Markos Dew, aged 20, of Henry St, Galway; John Cleere, aged 20, of Garville Av, Dublin 6; Alexander Antico, aged 26, of Green St, Dublin 8; Pablo Duarte, aged 22, of Haddington Rd, Dublin 4; Luke Feeney, aged 23, of Liberties Sq, Dublin 8; Trevor Moran, aged 22, from Sweetbriar Rd, Dublin 14; Annette Ryan, aged 35, Rathgar, Dublin; Keith Kerley, aged 26, of Limerick and one other Judge McNulty adjourned all 10 cases until November 18.