Anti-immigration activist Derek Blighe has garda harassment case adjourned

Judge adjourned the case until February 9 to allow for further directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions

Derek Blighe records a cameraman outside Cork District Court before his appearance on Tuesday.

Anti-immigration activist Derek Blighe, who is accused of harassing a member of An Garda Síochána where he allegedly video-recorded the guard and commented online: “He’s terrified now and afraid to leave his home,” had the case against him further adjourned on Tuesday.

Judge John King adjourned the case until February 9, on the application of Sergeant Gearóid Davis, to allow for further directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Frank Buttimer, solicitor, applied to have the signing-on conditions relaxed as bail required Mr Blighe to sign at his local Garda station twice a week. Judge King agreed to amend the bail so he now has to sign on once each week. A book of evidence is to be prepared in the case.

Detective Sergeant Christopher Cahill testified previously at Cork District Court that 45-year-old Derek Blighe was involved in a campaign of harassment of a named garda. 

The charge against Derek Blighe of Curraghavoe, Mitchelstown, Co Cork, states: “On dates between February 22, 2023, and December 4, 2023, he harassed [the garda] contrary to Section 10 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act.”

Mr Buttimer indicated Mr Blighe would be contesting the case.

Detective Sergeant Cahill said previously,: “It is alleged that over a 10-month period from February to December 2023, the accused engaged in a campaign of harassment against a member of An Garda Síochána. This member was on duty at a public event in October 2022. 

“It is alleged that the accused went on to post videos of himself talking about this injured party in April, August and December 2023. In one post, he commented about the injured party: ‘He is terrified now and afraid to leave his home.’ 

“The injured party was distressed. It had a negative effect on himself and his family.”