Summons solicitor says he was manhandled by gardai
Limerick-based lawyer John Devane says gardai pushed him away as he tried to serve Mr Ahern with a witness summons to appear at the trial of two people charged with trespassing at Shannon airport.
But he insisted he achieved his aim of serving the summons as the Taoiseach emerged from Dromoland Castle, Co Clare after an official function.
Said Mr Devane: "In law you must either place a witness summons in the hands of the person or at their feet. I threw the summons at the Taoiseach's feet: I had no option as I was being pushed away."
The solicitor confirmed last night that he made a formal complaint at Shannon garda station about the incident, to be investigated by the Garda Complaints Board. He has already pledged to subpoena both the Taoiseach and Defence Minister Michael Smith to appear as witnesses for Martin McGowan of Sligo and Jennifer Hannon of Dublin at their June 12 trial in Shannon district court.
He plans to question the politicians on Irish neutrality and what mandate they had from the people to allow Ireland "participate" in an international war.
- Eugene Hogan
