Plea delay for man accused of intimidating TD Michael Healy-Rae at Leinster House protest

Dean Hickson was identified from video footage 'as the person who deliberately impeded the injured party from entering Government buildings'

The court heard Dean Hickson 'was among a number of aggressive protesters outside Leinster House during an anti-government, anti-immigration protest'. Picture: IrishPhotoDesk.ie

A young man accused of intimidating independent TD Michael Healy-Rae during a protest outside Government buildings has been allowed more time to examine CCTV evidence before entering a plea.

About 200 protesters held a rally outside Leinster House on September 20 as the Dáil resumed following the summer recess, leading to several arrests. Afterwards, the Kerry TD condemned the conduct of some demonstrators as he and an intern from his office attempted to leave the area.

Dean Hickson, 21, of Griffith Parade, Finglas East Dublin, appeared again at Dublin District Court before Judge Paula Murphy on Tuesday when he was scheduled to enter a plea. However, defence solicitor Donal Quigley said he needed more time to go through the evidence, including CCTV, with his client.

Pleading for an adjournment, he added that gardaí had furnished "a lot of disclosure". Judge Murphy agreed to the request, adjourned the case for a week and remanded Mr Hickson on continuing bail.

Following an investigation, gardaí charged him in February. Pearse Street Garda Chloe Rochfort obtained directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to charge him under section nine of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act.

Mr Hickson is accused of intimidating Michael Healy-Rae at Kildare Street Dublin 2 on September 20.

The DPP directed summary disposal in the District Court, which can impose a 12-month sentence and a fine, rather than a trial at the Circuit Court level, which can impose a sentence of up to five years. Judge Murphy had accepted jurisdiction after hearing a summary of the prosecution evidence.

Earlier, court Garda Sergeant James Ward had said it was alleged that "the accused was among a number of aggressive protesters outside Leinster House during an anti-government, anti-immigration protest".

At one point, the CCTV footage captured someone "throwing a plastic bottle in the direction of Michael Healy-Rae, narrowly missing his head".

During the investigation, the accused was identified from the video footage "as the person who deliberately impeded the injured party from entering Government buildings, a place of work".

At that preliminary hearing in February, his solicitor told the judge that his client maintained "he did not block anyone going in or out". The defence was granted an order to be given copies of prosecution evidence, including video footage.

Healy-Rae, 57, has not been required to attend the proceedings so far but could be called as a witness to testify if the case proceeds to a contested hearing. Mr Hickson, who is unemployed, was granted legal aid but has not addressed the court at any point in the proceedings.