Man Charged After Whitegate Oil Refinery Tanker Obstruction Incident on April 10th

A 51-year-old man has appeared in court following an incident where a fuel protester obstructed an oil tanker from accessing the Whitegate oil refinery by climbing onto its tank.

Ivor Sweeney, residing at Coolbawn Lodge, Bailick Road, Midleton, Co Cork, appeared at Midleton District Court on Thursday. He faces a road traffic offense stemming from the incident, specifically charged that on April 10th, at Main Street, Whitegate, Co Cork, he acted in a manner that caused a tanker to remain in place, thereby obstructing traffic. This offense contravenes Section 98 and Section 102 of the Road Traffic Act 1961, as amended by Section 18 of the Road Traffic Act 2006, and carries a maximum penalty of €2,000.

Sergeant Linda O’Leary presented evidence of arrest, charge, and caution via certificate, submitting the required documentation to the court. Wayne O’Sullivan, Sweeney’s solicitor, requested copies of all Garda statements pertinent to the case, which Sergeant O’Leary confirmed would be provided.

Judge Colm Roberts granted the order for the disclosure of Garda documents to Sweeney. He remanded Sweeney on bail, scheduling his next court appearance for June 11th, either for a plea or to set a date for a full court hearing.