*Gardaí at Magowna House. Photograph: John Mangan
A JUDGE has convicted prominent anti-immigrant activist, Philip Dwyer of trespass at a then new direct provision centre for International Protection (IP) applicants at Magowna House at Inch in May 2023.
Imposing a €500 fine for the trespass offence on ‘Citizen Journalist’ Philip Dwyer at Ennis District Court on Wednesday, Judge Alec Gabbett said that words used by Mr Dwyer to others on the grounds at Magowna House were “unkind” and “quite unseemly”.
After viewing Mr Dwyer’s video footage in court of what occurred at Magowna House on May 18th 2023 Judge Gabbett said, “There was a certain undertone to the speech used”.
Judge Gabbett said that Mr Dwyer had told a Ukrainian man at the Magowna House site “‘you are Ukrainian – you are in my country’ or words to that effect and ‘you can’t tell me what to do in my country’ isn’t particularly pleasant to watch”.
Mr Dwyer (56) of Tallaght Cross West, Tallaght, Dublin 24 had denied the trespass charge and presented video footage of his interactions at Magowna House as part of his case and Judge Gabbett said that the footage was instead helpful to the State’s prosecution against Mr Dwyer.
The court was told at the time, there were protests at Magowna House where 29 International Protection applicants were being accommodated and there were blockades on local roads which were attracting media attention.
In evidence heard previously, Manager of Magowna House, Ahlam Salman told the court that Mr Dwyer was on the property on May 18th recording “making me and my staff feel afraid and unsafe”.
Judge Gabbett said that Mr Dwyer’s footage corroborated the State’s evidence of Ms Salman’s fear on the day.
Judge Gabbett said that Magowna House was no longer operating as a hotel and was private property.
In the footage shown in court, Mr Dwyer can be heard saying “These are all foreign people telling me what I can’t do in my own country”.
Mr Dwyer can be seen addressing a Ukrainian man wearing a fluorescent jacket asking “Do you think Irish people are stupid? Do you think we are all idiots? I wouldn’t blame you to be honest with you”.
He asks later, “What is your problem? You are not in Ukraine, this is my country…What are you hiding? I am just asking questions on behalf of the people of Ireland…. The people in this country are very concerned about this”.
After seeing some men believed to be IP applicants staying at the centre, Mr Dwyer asks, “Why are these people covering their faces… This is Ireland. This is my country”.
He says later, “The people of Ireland you can see what is happening in their country – stopping Irish men going they lawful business to do journalism”.
The footage later shows Mr Dwyer saying, “Philip Dwyer is my name. I am a Citizen Journalist. You are in Ireland now.”
Of the Ukrainian man, Mr Dwyer said, “He should be over in Ukraine fighting the war – he is here illegally”.
After seeing an Irish Times reporter located outside the Magowna House perimeter, Mr Dwyer commented “look at the face of treason here lads”.
Prior to Judge Gabbett imposing sentence, counsel for Mr Dwyer, Ann Doyle BL said her client does not accept the verdict of the court and had instructions not to give a very detailed plea in mitigation.
Ms Doyle said, “Mr Dwyer is someone who I believe is a person of integrity. He is a citizen journalist and he had no intention of creating a breach of the peace or invoking fear in anyone”.
Ms Doyle confirmed that the conviction would be appealed to the Circuit Court.
