JUDGE WARNS AGAINST ANTI-DRUG VIGILANTES

Judge Kevin Haugh has sharply criticised anti-drugs vigilante groups and
warned that their formation is likely to lead to confrontation.

He made his comments at the Dublin Circut Criminal Court when imposing
suspended sentences of six months on four men for attacking an anti-drugs
protester.

The court heard at least 10 men had fought on each side in a street fight
over threats made to one of the defendants about alleged drugdealing. Iron
bars and pickaxes were thrown from flats to help the anti-drug group.

The four, Freddie Sunner (52) and his son John Paul (19), of Canon Lillis
Avenue, Dublin 1, along with Christopher Whelan (27), of Lower Oriel
Street, Dublin 1 and Brendan Reilly (34), Courtney Place, Dublin 1, pleaded
guilty to common assault on Mr Kevin Reid at Courtney Place, Ballybough, on
April 7th, 1997.

Det Garda Tim Daly told Mr Tom O'Connell, prosecuting, that a group called
Ballybough against Drugs (BAD) had been picketing the home of Brendan
Reilly for several months. There was frequently trouble at the protests but
confrontations had eased recently.

On the day of the offence, John Paul Sunner and his young nephew were going
to Reilly's home. Mr Reid and other members of BAD stopped Sunner, accused
him of being a drug-dealer and struck him in the face.

Sunner ran home and soon his father returned with 12-15 men. A fight broke
out with the protesters and Mr Reid was cornered. He was badly beaten and
later received treatment for a broken finger and received three stitches to
the head. Christopher Whelan received a cheek bone fracture.

Det Garda Daly agreed with Ms Isobel Kennedy, defending, that Freddie
Sunner's daughter, who was living in Courtney Place with O'Reilly, had made
complaints that the protesters had smashed windows and broken down a door
to the flat. Charges were being brought against four people.

Ms Kennedy said her client was now drug-free and had AIDS as a result of
drug-taking.

Referring to the vigilantes, Judge Haugh said the case illustrated the
danger when people took into their own hands what was best left to the
Garda.

Of the gang put together to confront the anti-drug protesters, Judge Haugh
said he was satisfied it was not formed for physical violence but "as night
follows day" such groups led to trouble.

He noted three of the defendants had no previous convictions. Reilly had 34
convictions for larceny, traffic offences and drug possession, but violence
was not included.

Checked-by: Joel W. Johnson