Woman warned by judge over video posts during trial
A screenshot of a video on Angela Ray's Facebook page posted on the morning of 3 March
A CARLOW woman was severely reprimanded by Judge Mary Morrissey in Carlow Circuit Court last week for posting videos about an ongoing trial in which she is the defendant. It was a condition of her bail that she must not post anything about the trial on social media.
On Friday 6 March, Angela Ray (52) with an address at 66 New Oak, Carlow was again asked to enter into a bond not to post anything on social media concerning ongoing court affairs to which she was a party. Judge Morrissey said “This is your final warning”, and noted that Ms Ray would be remanded in custody if she failed to adhere to her bail conditions.
The videos posted online by Ms Ray to her thousands of followers over the course of the two-week trial show her outside Carlow courthouse and allude to the fact that she is waiting for a verdict to be handed down. The trial ended with the jury unable to reach a unanimous or majority verdict.
Prosecuting barrister Brian O’Shea first told Judge Morrissey on Wednesday 4 March that Ms Ray was continuing to post videos about issues at the heart of the trial and had, in fact, posted a video of the inside of the courtroom when it was empty. He noted it had since been deleted, but gardaí had taken a screenshot.
“I can't have the trial getting out online. If there’s another posting, I’ll make an application to revoke Ms Ray’s bail and have her phone taken off her,” Mr O’Shea noted.
Kevin McCrave BL for the defendant said he had made the situation very clear to Ms Ray that the requirement that she not post information online was to prevent prejudice to Ms Ray herself. “There will be no further postings,” he confirmed.
Judge Morrissey replied: “If there were to be any posts on any matter in respect of the trial, she would be in contempt of court. If she is found to be in breach, she could find herself in a very delicate and difficult situation.”
However, the issue arose again on Friday 6 March after a jury came back with a verdict of disagreement over whether the defendant was guilty of harassment by means of public posts on social media, in which she named and made allegations of abuse against the partner of her former sister-in-law. It was further alleged that Ms Ray committed an offence of harassment by meeting the complainant and using threatening and offensive language.
Ms Ray had pleaded not guilty to the charges.
In her testimony to the court, Ms Ray maintained that she had posted on social media out of concern for a family member and had not intended to harass the complainant.
During cross-examination at trial, Brian O’Shea, prosecuting, put it to the defendant that she was “all talk” regarding her intentions. In response, she pointed out that the barrister was a former judge and said: “I just feel a bit intimidated. You’re a strong character.”
Mr O’Shea described her as being “evasive” and put it to Ms Ray that the series of videos she posted was “an online campaign” that was “simply attention seeking” rather than born out of genuine concern. She denied this.
In his closing arguments, Mr O’Shea noted that the law draws a line between raising legitimate concerns and conducting a sustained campaign of harassment.
Kevin McCrave for the defence in his closing statement focused on undermining the complainant’s testimony and on his concerns about the evidence.
The jury deliberated on the matter for over two hours and 20 minutes. After this point, they indicated they would not be able to reach a unanimous or majority verdict and they submitted a verdict of disagreement to the court.
The matter will be put back for mention at the next session to see if the director of public prosecutions wishes to proceed with a second trial. Ms Ray was remanded on bail until a decision is made, on the condition that she does not post any further updates online.
