Bankers were guilty of false imprisonment

On the face of it, prima facia, the anti-austerity alliance protesters charged with “false imprisonment” of An Tánaiste and her assistant should be found not guilty for several reasons.

From the video evidence published in the media, it seems clear that both of the alleged victims were in the “safe custody” of An Garda Síochána at all times, and if there was some risk to their freedom and safety, then An Garda Síochána must bear a significant share of responsibility, given that they knew that a public protest was taking place outside the building that the alleged victims had been in.

The charges against these protesters seem to involve an unduly biased application of the law.

How many very ill people have been “falsely imprisoned” on hospital trolleys, due to the actions of corrupt and/or incompetent bankers, builders, developers, and politicians?

None of these perpetrators have been charged with “false imprisonment”.

Our legal system and the courts are now being used to evict large numbers of people from their homes, through no fault of the homeowners, but due to the actions of corrupt and/or incompetent bankers, builders, developers, and politicians. Arguably, many of those being evicted are now being “falsely imprisoned”, by being denied access to their homes, and confined to unsuitable hotel rooms, or worse, forced to live rough on the streets of our towns and cities.

Edward Horgan

Newtown

Castletroy

Limerick