This article is from page 13 of the 2008-02-26 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 13 JPG
A MAN who operated the main broadcast site for a Limerick City pi- rate radio station at his County Clare home has appeared in court in con- nection with the illegal activity.
John McNamara (30), of Ballycar South, Ardnacrusha faced six charg- es under the Broadcasting and Wire- less Telegraphy Act 1988. However five of the counts were withdrawn by the Commission for Communi- cations Regulation (ComReg) after the accused pleaded guilty to one Oe aero
Tom Hurley, who works as an In-
spector with ComReg’s Compliance Unit, gave evidence of carrying out a raid, with the assistance of gardai, at the premises at Ballycar South, Ar- ehatleuels ere
Mr Hurley said that he had been in the area carrying out monitoring and on the basis of that monitoring, sought a search warrant and visited Mr McNamara’s premises.
Mr Hurley said that when he ar- rived at the property, it was unoccu- pied but that he observed an antenna on the side of a barn. He said that a few minutes after he had arrived at the address, Mr McNamara turned up and confirmed he was the owner
of the property.
During a search of the barn, a pow- er amplifier and FM transmitter were located and dismantled. The court heard that the transmitter was broad- casting the studio output of Limerick City based pirate radio station Radio Limerick One (RLO).
In response to questioning by coun- sel for ComReg, Philip Rahn BL, Mr Hurley confirmed that the output of RLO’s studio was sent by cable to Mr McNamara’s property from where it was broadcast to the public on 105.2 naKeeeed aes A
Judge Aeneas McCarthy expressed concern that such transmissions
could interfere with air traffic con- trol but was assured that “there was no interference with air traffic con- trol, emergency services or other l- censed broadcasters”.
Counsel for the accused, Lorcan Connolly BL said Mr McNamara had never been in any sort of trouble before and had no previous convic- tions.
Judge McCarthy said, “The defend- ant has pleaded guilty to the offence but despite my reservations about the danger of interference with air traf- fic control and communications with aircraft, in this case I will apply the probation act.”