5 days ago
Man who abused builders at Co Wicklow site convicted and fined
A 36-year-old man who abused builders and ordered them to leave a disused hotel they were renovating in Co Wicklow last year has been convicted of a criminal offence and fined in court in Arklow.
Philip Lifely from Rednagh Hill, Aughrim, Co Wicklow was found guilty of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent to provoke a breach of the peace at Lawlor's Hotel car park in Aughrim on 29 April last year.
A crowd of protesters had gathered at the hotel that day apparently in the mistaken belief it was being renovated to accommodate people seeking asylum.
The Department of Integration confirmed at the time that the building was not being used for international protection applicants, but Lifely threatened and abused the builder and ordered him to leave the site.
Footage uploaded on social media which was played in court and remains online, shows Philip Lifely telling the builder to "get the f**k out, end of".
Lifely then asks the crowd if "anyone else agree with that?" "Should they get the f**k out?"
"We're not here to f**king talk to them, get out, with your f**king crew," he shouts at the builder.
"Get the f**k out, in the van, get out, now."
The crowd then starts clapping and shouting "out out out" before Lifely shouts again at the builder "go on, get the f**k, what are you standing there for, want me to pack your tools up, do you?"
The builder stands there looking down without replying and Lifely then shouts at him: "I'm giving you an hour, get the f**k out or I'll pack your f**king tools up."
"We're not talking anymore, that's it, we're fed up, fed up," he also shouts.
Gardaí in Wicklow commenced a criminal investigation and Lifely was arrested four days later and subsequently charged with an offence under Section 6 of the Public Order Act.
He was convicted at Arklow District Court and Judge David Kennedy today fined him €750.
The Ireland First candidate Darren Mc Govern, who failed to get elected to Wexford County Council last year, is also seen in the video last year telling the builder "you can understand the frustration of the people, and it's warranted, it is warranted".
Mr Mc Govern announces to applause that the builder has agreed to pull his team off site within an hour and tells everybody to remain "to give him the opportunity" to leave.
He did not commit any criminal offence.
The Government has condemned attacks on and the intimidation of workers.
