Further remand for Occupy Galway chalk vandals

By Martina Nee

Two members of the former Occupy Galway site charged with allegedly vandalising Galway City Council property with anti-austerity slogans written in chalk have been further remanded on continuing bail.

Supported by a group of more than 11 people, Christopher Duignan (26) with an address at 22 St Cormac’s Park, Kilcormac, Co Offaly, and Mark McKenna (19) with an address at 158 Laurel Park, Newcastle, appeared at Galway District Court on Monday both charged with criminal damage by defacing stone walls at Kennedy Park, Eyre Square, with handwritten slogans in chalk, contrary to Section 2(1) of the Criminal Damage Act 1991, on May 17, 2012.

Inspector Brendan Carroll told the court that the State is still awaiting the directions of the Director of Public Prosecutions in relation to this matter.

Barrister for both accused men, Patrick McCullough BL, made an application for legal aid. However, Judge Mary Fahy reserved on legal aid noting that it was unclear at present whether any further charges were pending. She then remanded both accused men on continuing bail to appear again at Galway District Court on June 27 next for DPP directions.

At the time of the alleged offences the Occupy Galway camp, which had been in situ for more than seven months, was being removed by a team of gardai and council officials. It is understood that slogans such as “No To Austerity” and “IMF Out” were found on stone walls in the area of the former Occupy Galway site.