Case against Ross Lahive for harassing Cork librarian now likely to go to criminal court

Irish Examiner

16-07-2025

Ross Lahive of The Irish People's Party appeared before Cork District Court on Wednesday on a charge of harassing a librarian at Cork City Library in 2023, arising out of protests about a publication called This Book is Gay appearing on a shelf for teenagers.
Covert and open recordings which the accused allegedly made of his interactions with the librarian were posted on his Facebook page, accompanied by comments describing the book as "grooming".
Sergeant Gearóid Davis said each of eight videos was accompanied by comments from parties, allegedly including Ross Lahive, variously describing the librarians as the epitome of evil, diabolical and doing Satan's work.
After Sgt Davis outlined these and other details forming the context for the harassment charge, Judge William Aylmer asked in clarification: 'The alleged injured party was in the course of her employment in the library.'
Sgt Davis said that was so. Judge Aylmer then said: 'I refuse jurisdiction.'
The matter will now be sent back to the Director of Public Prosecutions for further directions and the case was adjourned until October 6. It is now anticipated it will end up before Cork Circuit Criminal Court.
Diarmuid Kelleher, solicitor, said 46-year-old Ross Lahive, of Church Street, Shandon Street, Cork, was on jobseekers allowance, and an application was made for free legal aid. Judge Aylmer granted this application.
The single charge against the defendant states that on dates between February 26 and May 6, 2023, within the State, he harassed a librarian, contrary to the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act.
Sergeant Gearóid Davis said on November 7, 2023, a librarian at Cork City Library made a complaint about a group of persons who were calling to libraries countrywide to complain about a book in stock, called This Book is Gay. She made a specific complaint against a person she described as a spokesperson for the group.
'She outlined incidents between February 26 and May 6, 2023, when Mr Lahive first came to Cork City Library on Grand Parade to voice his objection to the book in question.
'Mr Lahive posted videos to his personal Facebook page of interactions with the library staff, including eight videos where the complainant is clearly visible.
'Of the videos, five were covert recordings he took of the librarian while discussing the book. She also outlined comments which were being posted about her and staff,' Sgt Davis said.
The sergeant outlined the commentary on one video, which stated: 'Our group is growing as more are becoming aware of this grooming book. Now, the staff say they feel intimidated.
"We feel grooming shouldn't be tolerated. There is even threats of them suing us for exposing this book. We won't stop until that filth is off the shelves.'
In the course of other videos with comments posted underneath on the defendant's Facebook page, comments allegedly include: 'Totally biased. All we are doing is exposing grooming. We are extremely troubled by this shocking grooming…
"People are not willing to put up with grooming 12-year-old children… Sick-minded individuals given these positions because they are part of the cult… 'Diabolical' is appropriate… Now they say they feel intimidated… She will be exposed before long… What degenerates.
'Went to Cork city library on my own so as not to hurt or overwhelm the staff's feelings. This book is grooming. When I told them I was recording, they were quick to say how immoral I was… These people are hand-picked evil… My blood boils when they try to defend this obscene filth.
"They will regret their stance on this before long. Twisted individuals, 100 per cent doing Satan's work… They are the epitome of evil. They are perverts and get off on trying to gaslight the public. I hope she learned a lesson. They are vile enablers. They encourage this filth, knowingly defending the indefensible.'