Decision to refuse permit not ‘blanket ban’ on AAA
By Echo Reader
Dear Editor,
District Court judge Michael Coghlan upheld the decision of a senior Garda to refuse an Anti-Austerity Alliance councillor a permit for door-to-door and street collection, agreeing with the decision of Division Chief Supt Orla McPartlin to refuse Cllr Mick Murphy a permit, stating it was fair and reasonable and did not breach his constitutional rights.
An application for a collection permit was made on the prescribed form, pursuant to Section 5(2) of Street and House to House Collection Act 1962.
David Langwallner, BL, for AAA, said it was a “blanket ban” or “carte blanche refusal” of a permit obvious from the letter of refusal issued by the Chief Superintendent in which she referred to previous protests involving the AAA and the possibility of future protests.
He argued the decision targeted a political party and attacked constitutional rights, including the right to stand for election, as it banned fundraising for an election campaign.
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