Bail for May Day protesters

The High Court tonight granted bail to 12 May Day protesters, overturning an earlier district court ruling.

The group was arrested and detained on public offence charges after violent clashes with police during Dublin’s EU expansion celebrations.

The 12 were originally refused bail after appearing at the city’s Cloverhill District Court this morning.

But they were later released after an application to the high court.

Mr Justice Nicholas Kearns ordered them to make various cash lodgements of up to €500 and sign in at a local Garda station three times a week until their next appearance on May 12.

Their bail applications were earlier rejected by Judge John Coughlan who cited the “seriousness of the offences and the events which occurred on Saturday night” as his reasons.

The 12 were part of a group of 18 protesters who appeared in court today, all charged with public order offences relating to breach of the peace and failing to follow garda directions.

Englishman Harry Johnstone, 20, had been released on bail after being charged with stealing a garda hat, but was originally remanded back in custody on three further charges.

Two other protesters had bail approved and four more were remanded on continuing bail to appear again on June 16.

The disturbances broke out as demonstrators marched from the city centre towards Phoenix Park, where EU leaders were enjoying a banquet.

All 18 charged were men aged between 19 and 42, although most are in their early 20s. They include two Englishmen and one American.