Man banned from RTÉ Cork allegedly breaches court order

Olivia Kelleher

A man has appeared before Cork District Court having allegedly breached a court order which banned him from attending at the premises of RTÉ Cork and from contacting its staff in the city.

Shane Matthews of Harbour Row in Cobh, Co Cork, last appeared before the court in July 29th.

On that occasion the court heard that he had allegedly breached the order on July 17th by shouting outside the RTE Cork building on Fr Matthew Quay in the city.

Garda Tracey Fleming said that the 47-year-old allegedly stated, “I will be back again and again and again.

When Matthews appeared before the court on July 29th, he was charged with engaging in threatening behaviour.

He claimed in court that RTÉ were bugging his phone. He blamed RTÉ for losing information he claimed to have written on his Samsung device.

Matthews was remanded in custody to appear before the court again today for DPP directions.

On Wednesday at Cork District Court, solicitor Diane Halahan stood in for defence solicitor Eddie Burke. She asked that the case be adjourned until after mid-August to allow for the case to be dealt with by Burke.

Sgt John Dineen told Judge Monica Leech that the DPP had directed summary disposal on the two counts of criminal damage before the court.

Matthews first appeared in court in February when he was charged with criminal damage at RTE Cork. This involved him allegedly throwing red paint at the front door of the building on January 31st and February 6th last.

Judge Leech today remanded Matthews in continuing custody until August 17th next.

Meanwhile, Matthews has been on similar bail conditions since he was first charged in February of this year.

He was also charged with threatening behaviour on June 17th having allegedly breached the terms of his bail by shouting abuse and threats outside RTÉ Cork on June 10th.