Woman arrested after paint thrown at Harney

[Zapatista]

Under the Finance Act 2001, substantial tax exemptions are allowed for the building and refurbishment of buildings used as private hospitals. In practice, this means a top-rate taxpayer investing 1m qualifies for a tax break of 410,000 over seven years

"There's a number of schemes marketing these investments in private hospitals to highincome individuals like lawyers and consultants, " says Labour Party spokeswoman on finance Joan Burton. "Potentially, we are building up to 30 hospitals with a hundred beds or less in each of them. If you take it that they cost 30bn, the tax write-off, at 40%, comes to more than 1.2bn. A lot of the very rich people who benefited from the car-park tax reliefs are going to benefit from this too.

http://www.tribune.ie/archive/article/2007/sep/30/what-happens-when-our-healthcare-becomes-dependent/

[All of a Sludden]

Councillor guilty of Harney assault

A Dublin councillor has been found guilty of assaulting former minister for health Mary Harney by throwing red paint over her last November.

Ms Harney had paint thrown at her, covering parts of her clothes, neck, chest and hands, during a sod-turning ceremony for a new primary care and mental health unit at Cherry Orchard Hospital in west Dublin, on November 1st.

Louise Minihan, 29-year-old councillor from Knock Riada, Chapelizod, in Dublin, who is a member of the socialist republican Éirígí party, had pleaded not guilty to assaulting the former health minister and criminal damage to her clothing, which were worth €600 to €800.

Judge Ann Watkin heard at the Dublin District Court that Minihan accepted the facts of the case but claimed she had been engaging in a "political protest".

After being found guilty, the councillor, a mother of one, who earns €17,500 a year, refused to do community service or to make a donation to a charity nominated by Ms Harney, because she wanted to "stand over her actions."

Judge Watkin said Minihan had "no excuse" and she had "wasted" tax payers' money through legal aid fees and court time.

For the criminal damage offence, the judge imposed a two month term which she suspended on condition the defendant keeps the peace for the next 12 months. In relation to the assault, Judge Watkin fined Minihan €1,500 which must be paid within a year or she will face a seven day jail term in default.

"People are entitled to protest but are not entitled to do that," the judge said.

"In the case of dress and coat it was not possible for dry cleaners to remove the paint," she said adding that Minihan caused €600 to €800 worth of damages to her clothes.

She said she would not accept compensation from Minihan, but would prefer a donation to charity.

In cross-examination, defence solicitor Kieran Conway put it to her that his client's motive was to protest and her actions were not personal.

Ms Harney replied: "I do not think it is an acceptable form of protest in a democracy."

Minihan, who has no previous criminal convictions, opted not to go into evidence and was found guilty.

[Bogball XV]

A bit coincidental that this came up today, a cynical person could think that maybe a political party with connections in the legal world (perhaps the party was involved in making appointments in those circles) could have arranged that this case was heard today in order that people would remember just how volatile those republicans could be.  It would be a good away around the moratorium.

[All of a Sludden]

I dont think you would have to be cynical to come up with that conclusion.

€800 worth of clothes on Mary Harness???

[Bogball XV]

I dont think you would have to be cynical to come up with that conclusion.

€800 worth of clothes on Mary Harness???

Not surprising, look how much material is needed.

[mylestheslasher]

I dont think you would have to be cynical to come up with that conclusion.

€800 worth of clothes on Mary Harness???

How many of the great unwashed go around wearing that much money.

[armaghniac]

How many of the great unwashed go around wearing that much money.

I am not a particular admirer of Harney, but people expect ministers performing official duties to be well dressed.

This particular form of protest showed a complete lack of imagination, but then destruction is par for the course for Éirígí .

[All of a Sludden]

Ms Minihan was jailed today for non payment of fines.

[Orior]

Ms Minihan was jailed today for non payment of fines.

Good.