A property developer from Achill was before Dublin District Court on Thursday morning on a criminal damage charge after his cement lorry was rammed into the gates of Leinster House on Wednesday — the first day that the Dáil returned from its summer recess.
Forty-one-year old, Joe McNamara, who is from Achill but is now based in Galway, has been dubbed the ‘Anglo Avenger’ after his truck blocked the main entrance of Leinster House after 7am on Wednesday. Etched across the lorry in red was “Toxic Bank Anglo”, along with other slogans such as “All Politicians Should Be Sacked”. The word “Bankrupt” was also placed where the number plate should have been.
McNamara climbed on top of the truck to continue his protest against Anglo Irish Bank. The brakes and electrical cables of the truck had been cut, which made the truck immovable, however a specialist tow truck eventually removed it before 10am.
No one was injured in the incident and only minor paintwork damage was caused to the gates. McNamara was arrested and detained overnight before he appeared in court on Thursday morning.
The defendant was remanded on bail to November 25 on condition that he does not come to the attention of the gardaí.
The same lorry was used in another demonstration in April, when it was abandoned outside the Anglo Irish Bank premises on Forster Street in Galway.
