Citizen Journalist Philip Dwyer denies trespassing at Clare hotel for unvetted migrants

Counsel for Philip Dwyer told Ennis District Court that he had lawful authority to be at Magowna House Hotel as he was there as citizen journalist and peaceful protestor. Philip was covering the demonstrations by locals in May 2023 who had blockaded entry points to the hotel to stop any more immigrants from gaining entry without proper consultation. The episode garnered widespread publicity by the mainstream media who covered the event from a government friendly perspective. Philip, on the other hand, was asking hard questions about the appropriateness of using the hotel for unvetted migrants in a small rural setting.
The trial continues.