Ben Gilroy: I was invited onto stud farm land

Ben Gilroy, a founder of the political movement Direct Democracy Ireland, has told the High Court he was “invited” onto stud farm lands in Kildare and had not acted in contempt of orders restraining interference with bank-appointed receivers to the lands.

Michael Howard, for the receivers, said they had video evidence supporting their claim that Mr Gilroy was “centrally involved” in “very unsavoury events” last August when up to 300 people were “encouraged onto” lands at Kennycourt Stud, Brannockstown, near Naas.

The receivers also had a promotional film of Mr Gilroy’s organisation showing Mr Gilroy giving a speech to the crowd on the lands and a recording of an interview with Mr Gilroy on an internet radio station where he “took credit” for forcing the receivers off the lands, Mr Howard said.