Cork man accused of damaging referendum poster with knife
The man appeared before Cork District Court.
A man faced charges today for an incident during campaigning in relation to the referendum on the 8th Amendment to the Constitution, where he allegedly damaged a poster with a knife.
Jason Calnan, aged 50, with an address at a flat at 4 Victoria Terrace, St Luke’s Cork, is charged with three counts and appeared before Cork District Court.
The criminal damage charge states that on May 17, 2018, at St Luke’s Cross, Mayfield, Cork, he did without lawful excuse damage property, to wit, 8th Amendment Referendum poster belonging to another, intending to damage such property or being reckless as to whether such damage would be damaged.
He was also charged with having a black-handled kitchen knife intending to cause damage to a poster in a manner which he knew was likely to endanger the life of a named person.
He faces a related charge under the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act of producing the same knife to intimidate another person.
Sgt John Kelleher said it was alleged that a man saw another man removing campaign posters in relation to the referendum which was upcoming at the time, and allegedly brandishing the knife in the other man’s direction.
It was further alleged that he damaged campaign material at the same time and place.
Solicitor Killian McCarthy said the accused did not have legal representation when he came to Cork District Court today and approached him outside the courtroom asking him to represent him. Free legal aid was granted when Judge Mary Dorgan was informed that the accused was in receipt of a disability allowance.
Mr McCarthy said that the issue of delay in bringing the case would be raised by the defence and he sought a report from the prosecution explaining why charges related to May 2018 were being brought in March 2025.
Judge Mary Dorgan adjourned the case until May 26 for the issue of delay to be addressed.
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