Anti-refugee protester is charged under hatred law
AN anti-refugee activist has been barred from social media and ordered to stay away from asylum centres after being charged with ‘incitement to hatred’.
The Garda Special Detective Unit (SDU) arrested Graham Carey, 39, of Dunsink Drive, Finglas, Dublin, on Wednesday of this week.
He was held at Shankill Garda Station under section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act and officers charged him at 11.05pm on Thursday.
According to the charge, it is alleged that on January 30 of this year, at a place unknown within the State, he distributed, showed or played a recording of visual images or sounds to stir up hatred.
The offence is contrary to section two of the Prohibition of Incitement to Hatred Act.
He was kept in Garda custody overnight, pending his appearance before Judge Michele Finan at Dublin District Court yesterday. Detective Sergeant Eamon Hoey said that Mr Carey’s reply to the charges was: ‘In hindsight, it won’t be happening again; I will be taking a different approach going forward’.
Judge Finan noted there was no objection to bail with conditions the detective sergeant had already discussed with defence solicitor Rory Staines. He asked that Mr Carey reside at his address, surrender his passport and not apply for travel documents.
The accused, in a grey jumper, black trousers and runners, told the court he did not have a passport.
The judge also agreed to impose a condition not to organise or participate in gatherings and protests, either in person or online.
The SDU officer asked that Mr Carey not post or record videos on any social media platform – Judge Finan agreed to make that another bail condition, and went further, telling the accused: ‘You are barred from social media.’ Mr Carey’s solicitor indicated his client would sign the bail bond.
Judge Finan ordered him to sign on twice weekly at Cabra Garda Station and provide a contact phone number within 48 hours. She specified that his new phone ‘is to be a button phone’ and warned him he had ‘to stay away from all centres and locations housing refugees’.
He was released on a €200 bail bond and ordered to appear at Blanchardstown District Court on April 28.
He said he didn’t have a passport