Grandfather spared jail for abusing garda during protest at Crown Paints site

His defence solicitor told the court that Christopher Kirwan was 'at the wrong place at the wrong time'

Protestors outside the former Crown Paints factory in Coolock, north Dublin, in July. Christopher Kirwan was fined €500 after pleading guilty to a breach of the peace and failing to leave the vicinity when cautioned at Malahide Road on July 15. Photo : Niall Carson/PA

A grandfather was “at the wrong place at the wrong time” when he started hurling abuse at gardaí policing a protest near the former Crown Paints site in Dublin, a court heard.

Christopher Kirwan, aged 56, of Liberty House, Dublin 1, was fined €500 after pleading guilty to a breach of the peace and failing to leave the vicinity when cautioned at Malahide Road on July 15.