Facebook ban for naming soldier ‘legitimate target’

A man accused of contacting a Garda confidential line identifying a named soldier in the Irish army as a “legitimate target” has been told to stay off Facebook and other social media as a condition of his bail.

Det Sgt Vincent O’Sullivan arrested Anthony (Tony) Weston on January 10 and charged him with a single count to which the accused made no reply.

Insp Mary King said yesterday the DPP directed the case could proceed summarily at Cork District Court rather than by indictment before judge and jury.

At that point Judge Con O’Leary asked for an outline of the allegations against West, aged 38, of 7 Popham’s Road, Cork, so that he could decide also on whether to accept jurisdiction to hear the case summarily.

Det Sgt O’Sullivan said: “The allegation is he rang the Garda confidential line and stated that [soldier] from the Defence Forces is a legitimate target.”

Judge O’Leary said he would accept jurisdiction.

Det Sgt O’Sullivan said there was no objection to bail but certain bail conditions were required.

The first was that West would stay off social media.

Judge O’Leary asked the defence solicitor, Emmet Boyle, if the accused had any problem accepting that condition. Mr Boyle said there was no problem. The judge then made an order directing West to stay off Facebook and other social media.

The second condition required him to have no contact direct or indirect with the named solider or anyone at Collins barracks in Cork.

The case was adjourned until February 26.