Mayo Coronor shouts & curses at a member of the public outside an inquest 21-06-24

Mayo Coronor shouts & curses at a member of the public outside an inquest (Ammi & Martina Burke) Josiah Burke 21-06-24
Jemima Burke arrested, charged, tried and unlawfully convicted in the space of 5 hours in a closed court after Mayo Coroner and former Fine Gael Director of Elections shouted and cursed at her: “you are the scum of this earth.”

Pat O’Connor has been covering up for years in County Mayo - presiding over continuous suppression of the truth. The Coroner is a former Fine Gael Director of Elections at a local and national level. His two brothers, Tony and John, were made High Court and District Court judges respectively after Enda Kenny came to office.

Patrick O’Connor detests those who call for the full truth and transparency in the courts.

O’Connor, the Mayo Coroner, approached Garda Padraig O’Connor outside Swinford Courthouse instructing him that Jemima Burke was “not allowed to be recording” (outside the Courthouse on the public pathway). The Garda later gave evidence that this is what the Coroner told him. He immediately obeyed Patrick O’Connor’s instructions stating to Jemima Burke: “You have no right to be recording.”

When Jemima Burke asked Patrick O’Connor if he was instructing the Gardaí, he replied angrily “you mind your own bl***y business”. Moments later he lunged at Ms Burke, shook his finger in her face, shouting “you are the scum of this earth.”

As Patrick O’Connor crossed the street to his office Jemima Burke said he would “stand before God someday and give account.” When she turned to the Garda and said “you too, Garda” he replied: “Don’t threaten me.”

Minutes later Garda O’Connor informed Jemima Burke she was under arrest before snatching her phone. She was brought by Garda Car to Ballina and produced before District Court Judge Vincent Deane in a closed court at Ballina Courthouse. Mr Deane worked in conjunction with An Garda Síochána - as DPP State Solicitor for Mayo - for 15 years before the Government nominated him to the Bench in 2022.

In an unprecedented series of events Judge Deane proceeded with the full trial of Jemima Burke in a locked courthouse in Ballina after 5pm. Ms Burke was alone - surrounded by 7 Gardaí. No media or members of the public were present.

Her family were completely unaware of court proceedings. Jemima Burke had requested legal support from Ammi Burke but this was denied by the Superintendent at Ballina Garda Station. She also requested for her family to be notified of legal proceedings but no action was taken.

After finally ascertaining her whereabouts after calls to Ballina Garda Station, Martina and Ammi Burke arrived at Ballina Courthouse as the trial was underway. They found the doors locked and had to knock loudly before gaining entrance.

In court bail conditions were raised. The Garda confirmed that Coroner Patrick O’Connor had directed bail conditions that (1) Ms Burke would not speak to him or to any of the hospital staff who gave evidence at the inquest and that (2) Ms Burke would not attend further hearings of the inquest in question.

Jemima Burke said she could not accept such bail conditions given at the direction of the Coroner.

Judge Deane then proceeded immediately to trial.

Jemima Burke pleaded with the Judge that she had no time or resources to consider a defence, gather evidence, or call witnesses. She begged that the trial would not proceed. At that point she remained alone in the courtroom.

The Judge refused her submissions, started the trial, and called Garda Padraig O’Connor to give evidence. O’Connor confirmed that the Coroner had instructed him that Jemima Burke had no right to be filming. When questioned by Jemima Burke he said the “overall gist” of her words was threatening, abusive and insulting. He provided no clear examples. Jemima Burkes denies any threatening, insulting or abusive behaviour whatsoever.

When Martina and Ammi Burke arrived in the courtroom Ammi Burke protested the obvious illegality of the trial taking place. The judge threatened he would have her removed.

Jemima Burke was subsequently convicted and fined €350. She denies all charges.

It is unprecedented and patently illegal for a trial to be pushed through in this manner.

The inquest into yet another untimely and tragic death at Mayo University Hospital had been in its third day at Swinford courthouse.

*For more details on the inquest proceedings see link below: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/gKVs...

Patrick O’Connor has been protecting Mayo University Hospital from accountability for years - including in the case of Sally Maaz whose untimely death in the hospital’s Covid Ward in 2020 was covered up by the Coroner. His actions in this regard are common knowledge in Co. Mayo and farther afield. Yesterday’s events show a chilling development where the Coroner is instructing the Gardaí to silence anyone who seeks to shine a light on his activities. This arrest, charge, trial and conviction are a monstrous illegality.