Irish protester's lawyer slams German court after it refuses to hear evidence about Gaza

Irish pro-Palestinian activist Daniel Tatlow-Devally. His lawyer says protesters' actions in Berlin were 'relevant to protect lives in Gaza'.

Lawyers have criticised a German court's decision to refuse evidence on the link between an Israeli military firm and Gaza during the trial of an Irish pro-Palestinian activist.

Dubliner Daniel Tatlow-Devally, 32, is one of five Berlin-based activists on trial for allegedly causing damage at a site owned by the Israel-based military technology company Elbit Systems in September 2025.

Their defence team said the witnesses would have outlined the link between Elbit Systems and the genocide in Gaza, to demonstrate that the protesters' actions were "relevant to protect lives in Gaza".

Criminal defence lawyer Benjamin Dusberg, representing Mr Tatlow-Devally, criticised the court's refusal in recent days to hear from defence witnesses.

Mr Dusberg said the judge ruled that the witnesses' evidence was not relevant, which he said showed "the court has already decided everything without knowing anything".

"The minute that even one aspect of this content, the bigger picture, appears in the evidence, they have a huge problem because then they must draw the conclusion that our clients must be acquitted."

Daniel's mother, Mimi Tatlow-Golden, told the Irish Examiner that the trial process was "nothing short of a scandal".

She said: "The Government claim to have direct oversight of the trial, but how can they, when they have failed to send an observer?

"We sincerely hope they will finally act to protect the rights of an Irish citizen and human rights defender being mistreated in a German show trial for standing up for Palestine."

The Department of Foreign Affairs has said that when providing consular assistance, the focus is on "the welfare of the citizen"; consulate staff have paid regular visits to Mr Tatlow-Devally during his detention.

German chancellor Friedrich Merz has said in relation to the case that regardless of nationality, “judicial processes in Germany are conducted according to internationally valid standards”.