An assault case was before Ballina District Court on Tuesday against the CEO of a Ballina laboratory who allegedly punched a female protester. Leonard Moran, Carrentrila, Ballina, denies that he punched the woman.
Laura Broxon from Dublin told the court that on March 5 2011, she along with three others from Dublin, travelled to Ballina to stage a protest outside Charles River and Ovagen in Ballina (which are located adjacent to each other ). Ms Broxon is the founder of the National Animal Rights Association and has carried out numerous protests outside these labs, as according to her “they test on animals” which is “ethically wrong”.
Ms Broxon said that when they arrived at the driveway near the labs, she, alongside Jude Murphy, got out of the car, while two others remained in the car. The witness said that she took out a megaphone and banner and started talking into the loudspeaker and said things like “shame on you... blood on your hands”. Adjacent to the driveway is the private home of Moran who was in the garden at the time; it was around 1.30pm. Moran is the director of Ovagen and until 2002 also used to own the lab which was bought by Charles River.
Ms Broxon said that Moran started shouting, dropped a garden shears which he had in his hand, and picked up a hammer. According to Ms Broxon he ran towards them, wielding a hammer, and they ran back towards the car. Jude Murphy managed to get into the car, however Ms Broxon was confronted at the front of the car by Moran. According to her he asked her what she said on the megaphone and he punched her, full force, on the right side of head. The witness said she “feared for her life” as Moran still had the hammer in his hand. She said that he stopped when a car arrived beside them. Gardaí were called, and arrived at 2.20pm. Ms Broxon said that she had an intense pain at the side of her head behind her eye and later went to Mayo General Hospital. A medical report was submitted to court.
Witness Jude Murphy said that he heard Ms Broxon say on the megaphone: “Shame on you Leonard Moran, you are responsible for the death of thousands of animals”. Mr Murphy said that he saw Moran move his left arm in a punch motion and Ms Broxon was hit. Another witness, Kim Griffin, who drove the car towards the incident, said that she saw Moran hit Ms Broxon.
Detective Garda Pat Ruane who spoke to the defendant after the incident, was told by Moran that he had given Ms Broxon “a clip”.
Solicitor for Moran, Paul Cunney, said that Ms Broxon and the others had parked their car on private property and were staging their protest on private property. Mr Cunney said that Ms Broxon made “personal attacks on my client” and “scurrilous accusations”. The solicitor said Moran had nothing to do with Charles River and that no animals were tested on in Ovagen — chicken eggs were used.
Moran told the court that over the past 18 months he has been subjected to torment and harassment from Ms Broxon, who has shouted abuse at him on his private property. Moran said that he has no difficulty if they come down every day to protest so long as they do not come on to his property.
The defendant said that Ms Broxon said on the megaphone, “Leonard Moran you have blood on your hands, you have been responsible for the death of animals,” and according to Moran she also mentioned his wealth.
Moran said that he did not have to run after them as they were protesting next to him. He admitted that he had a hammer in his hand and that he got angry and said to her: “What the hell are you saying?” He said that there was a “robust verbal” between the two of them before “she lunged at me”. Moran said that his reaction to this was to put his left arm straight out to block her and contact was made with her face. Moran said this was not the first time that Ms Broxon lunged at him: “She comes at me like a little blasted terrier.”
During his evidence Moran mentioned that an account of this incident is on the animal rights Facebook page.
Judge Mary Devins said that before she considers anything else this needs a preliminary investigation. The case was adjourned to February 28 2012.
