The Kevin Tracey Case - An ill man sits in protest

national | rights, freedoms and repression | news report

Thursday October 13, 2011 16:25

by Justin Morahan

Genuine shock on hearing his story outside the Dáil

The Kevin Tracey saga continues.

Again, on Wednesday, 12 October 2011, Kevin Tracey sat on a stool outside the Dáil continuing his protest against Judges, the Courts Service, the DPP's office, Gardaí, State solicitors and the State they represent. Previous posts have related how over a period of eleven years, and following on a dispute over planning permission with a Judge, (his next door neighbour) he received a total of 39 summonses which he had to fight through the Irish courts over the years. The account of the opposition he encountered in trying to clear his name is Kafkaesque and has made him put his life on hold. Last year when it was his own turn to prosecute the above defendants for their wrongdoing against him, he fell suddenly ill and his cases were put on hold. A judge ruled in his absence that his valid doctor's certificate was "inadequate", struck out his final six cases that were due to go before a jury, and gave costs against him. (See: http://www.indymedia.ie/article/99367 )

Kevin has struggled with the help of his supporters to clear his name. On Wednesday last several TDs and Senators and a Presidential candidate heard and read a summary of his story.

Among these were:

Regina Doherty, TD (FG) who listened with evident concern, had a long chat with Kevin ad said that she would ask that his case become part of an Inquiry under the hoped-for new system on which the electorate is voting on Thursday 27 October.

Mary Davis, Presidential candidate and her husband to whom Kevin explained the breaches of his human and constitutional rights while they listened sympathetically. Mary's husband read the literature and expressed shock that this could happen.

Michael Healy-Rae, TD, (Ind), -the only TD who has returned for a second earful. He took away the literature and was back after 10 minutes, requesting permission to ask questions of Minister Alan Shatter on the issue - permission was gladly granted to him.
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Charlie McConalogue, TD, (FF),- taken aback by the case and recommended that Kevin's local TDs should take up his case

Barry Cowen TD, (FF), brother of former Taoiseach was sympathetic. He was particularly puzzled as to how Kevin's legal planning permission had been taken from him (it had been appealed all the way to the Supreme Court by his next door neighbour Judge).

Trade Union man Tom Butler who gave Kevin his fullest support (on his way to the Dame Street occupation)

Kieran Hanrahan (Stocktons Wing and Ceili House on RTE) who is a friend of Kevin and was not fully up to date on the abuse suffered. He showed sincere shock and concern.

The driver of the INO protest (that was taking place simultaneously outside the Dáil) felt sickened when he heard some of the catalogue of abuse suffered

The supporters of Kevin and Karen spoke with several members of the public who expressed their shock and support. But one gentleman who at first appeared "sympathetic" asked the name of the judge who lived beside Kevin and decided that he could not now offer his support.