Assault charges against anti-vaccine campaigner withdrawn

Gardai in court have withdrawn a charge that well-known anti-vaccine activist Antonio Mureddu allegedly assaulted a garda in Clare last August.

At Ennis District Court, Sergeant Louis Moloney told Judge Mary Larkin the case against Mr Mureddu (44) of Headford Arms Hotel, Headford, Co. Galway, was being withdrawn by the State.

Sergeant Moloney didn’t tell the court why the three charges were being withdrawn against Mr Mureddu.

Mr Mureddu was not in attendance in court for the withdrawal of the case against him as his attendance was not required.

In the case, Mr Mureddu was charged that on August 10 last year at Knockanean, Ennis of assaulting Garda James Hanley with intent to resist or prevent the lawful apprehension or detention of himself for an alleged offence, dangerous driving.

The charge is contrary to Section 19 of the Criminal Justice Act (Public Order Act).

Those who do face such a charge and are found guilty in the circuit court face a prison term up to five years on conviction while a district court judge can impose a sentence up to 12 months on those convicted after being found guilty.

A second charge of dangerous driving was also withdrawn against Mr Mureddu.

Mr Mureddu was charged with dangerous driving on the M18 at Ballymacahill, Ennis on August 10 2021.

The third charge that was withdrawn against Mr Mureddu concerned a second dangerous driving charge – and that charge related to dangerous driving at Caheraphuca, Crusheen, on the same date.

Mr Mureddu first appeared in court concerning the three, now withdrawn, charges at Letterkenny District Court last month.

At Galway District Court last November in an unrelated case, Mr Mureddu was convicted and fined a total of €450 for breaching Covid-19 regulations by driving more than five kilometres from his address at a time when temporary travel restrictions were in place last year.

The court heard that Mr Mureddu was seeking €50,000 in compensation from the State unless the charges against him were dropped.