Man involved in Cork library protests charged with failing to appear in court

Ross Lahive, of Church St, Shandon St, Cork, was arrested at 6.47pm on September 4 and charged with failing to appear in Cork District Court that morning

Ross Lahive, of Church St, Shandon St, Cork — pictured at a protest on Grand Parade outside Cork City Library — was alleged to have had a knife in his possession on August 26. Picture: Larry Cummins

The 44-year-old man involved in protests at Cork’s main library over LGBT+ reading material who challenged the Lord Mayor of Cork on an online video only to end up with the mayor singing  'Oh What a Beautiful Morning', was arrested and brought before Cork District Court on Tuesday.

Ross Lahive, of Church St, Shandon St, Cork, was arrested by Detective Garda Pat Russell at 6.47pm on September 4 and charged with failing to appear in Cork District Court on that morning.

Det Garda Russell said on Tuesday Ross Lahive was due to appear in court on a charge related to August 26, which stated that at Bridewell Garda Station, Kyrl’s Street, Cork, he did have a knife in his possession, contrary to the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act.

Judge Olann Kelleher asked the accused if he had a solicitor. The defendant said his solicitor was in Donegal. 

At that stage, the detective who arrested him said there was an objection to bail as gardaí believed he would not turn up for the case against him.

Judge Kelleher appointed solicitor Diarmuid Kelleher to represent him on free legal aid for his bail application, saying if his bail application was unsuccessful he would be at risk of being remanded in custody for seven days. 

Mr Lahive was asked about his circumstances and said he was not working and was on €220 Jobseekers Allowance.

Det Garda Russell charged Lahive with failing to appear in court on September 4 and he replied after caution: “I thought that was next week.” 

He made the same reply after caution to the charge of having a knife in his possession at the Bridewell on August 26.

Det Garda Russell said it was not believable the defendant would forget his court date in a period of nine days.

Diarmuid Kelleher called Ross Lahive to the witness box to give evidence and put to him the prosecution concern that he would deliberately not turn up in court if granted bail. 

He replied: “I will turn up the next date, absolutely.” 

Judge Olann Kelleher attached conditions to his bail that he would reside at his home address on Church Street, provide his phone number to Det Garda Russell and be contactable at all times. 

The judge did not accede to an application by Sergeant John Kelleher requiring the defendant to sign on at Mayfield Garda Station three times a week.

The case is suitable to be heard summarily at Cork District Court, Sgt Kelleher said.

It was adjourned by Judge Kelleher until October 3. It is possible there will be a further adjournment of the case at that stage for a date for a hearing of the matter.

An online video shows Lord Mayor Cllr Kieran McCarthy being confronted by Ross Lahive at North Main St carnival on Saturday morning, August 26, on a matter related to the library protest. 

Mr Lahive asked Mr McCarthy if he knew who he was, and Mr McCarthy responded: "Yes, I’ve been waiting for this". 

The Lord Mayor then delivered a spirted performance of, ‘Oh What a Beautiful Morning' from the musical Oklahoma.