Richard Behal in Court November 25 Killarney - after 24 year refusal to buy TV licence

national | rights, freedoms and repression | news report

Tuesday November 18, 2008 01:05

by Andrew Gilchrist - Richard Behal Support Group

richard.behal at gmail dot com

68 Arbutus Grove, Killarney, Co Kerry

087 4100691- 064 32723

Former Sinn Fein candidate censored in 1984 European elections

Richard Behal was a candidate for Sinn Fein in 1984 European Election in Munster. This was an international election. He was prevented from appearing on RTE, due to a Ministerial Order under Section 31 of the Broadcasting Act. His policies were misrepresented by RTE on a special Munster constituency programme, which gave the other eight candidates extended airtime.

At the end the programme purported to give the audience a very brief summary of Behal’s platform, but misrepresented it. He was never contacted by RTE.

CLICK TO READ - print from PDF version below

This action, primarily by the Irish state but also as aided and abetted by RTE, was a denial of democracy and of Behal and Sinn Fein’s right to put policies to the electorate on the most important medium of public opinion. Despite this, Behal received nearly 13,000 first preference votes. How different things might have been had a democratic election been held.

After that experience Behal publicly refused to buy a television licence. Before and during the election he had one - see copy below.

Behal served 15 days in Cork Jail in 2005 on foot of his refusal on principle to pay a fine imposed by the courts for not having a TV licence. He has been convicted again in 2007, and presently is facing and preparing to appeal another Circuit Court conviction in Killarney on November 25. This is a personal decision, but an important one in defence of the principle of free speech. Media self-censorship continues to the present day. It affects reporting the north and campaigning groups.

Behal will consent to buying a licence when:

He receives a proper apology and acknowledgment from the Irish state that it undermined the principle of informed consent by banning him from appearing on RTE during the 1984 European election - contrary to Section 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights;

He receives from RTE an acknowledgement and apology for their censorship and misrepresentation of his policies under their draconian and illegal interpretation of Section 31 of the Broadcasting Act.

Behal states:

I am taking this stance in defence of freedom of speech and democracy. This was a direct interference in an election. The censorship of that era prolonged violence by disaffecting many from the political process. It also poisoned media practice up to and including the present day.

I have maintained my stance over the years. While I am prepared to face the consequences, I invite those working or writing in, or commenting on, the media to assist this campaign by supporting my two demands.

Individuals and organisations can support me by email and/or by standing for freedom of speech in Killarney on November 25.

Richard Behal
richard.behal@gmail.com
087 4100691 (preferred), 064 32723

Support Richard by Email
Show your solidarity at Killarney Courthouse 25 November 2008
Support Freedom of Speech - Oppose Censorship

This happened the last time Richard Behal was on RTE in 1968 - the British Ambassador complained bitterly

Behal and seven of the other eight candidates - he was censored, they were not

Behal bought TV licence every year to 1985

PDF version of Behal statement - Please print/forward/post-up as necessary 0.18 Mb

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Comments (17 of 17)

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British Fast Boat 'Brave Borderer' - not fast enough for Richard Behal

by Captain Townsend

Tue Nov 18, 2008 01:33

Behal caught up with this boat, HMS Brave Borderer, off Waterford in 1966. It made quite a splash at the time, after Behal holed it.

Fast British PAtrol Boat 'Brave Borderer' - not fast enough for Richard Behal in 1966

Behal

by P Moynihan

Tue Nov 18, 2008 06:18

That was 1965 and his colleagues went "bloody bananas" because of what he had done.

He has a point about Section 3,1 besides television licenses are a joke these days considering the amount of ads on RTE.

If RTE had their way they would bring back the Wireless License.

All Indy people set up a campaign and not pay the RTE for their licence

by aunty rte

Tue Nov 18, 2008 16:14

Because of RTE's blatently pro EU lisbon referendum stance. They have been strongly pushing in their coverage for a second referendum to bully the people into reversing their vote a few months ago voting yes. They are supposed to be a state service but are definitely not impartial. All independent indymedia activists should fefuse to pay their rotten licence fee, and dont forget they are raking in big bucks on advvertising revenue as well as the licence.

RTE's 'Dear John' leter to Ricahard Behal

by TV Flynn

Tue Nov 18, 2008 17:58

You are banned, and now we plan to misrepresent you - what RTE did not say, they did.

You are a banned person in this election - RTE's message to Richard Behal in 1984

TV & LICENSE

by Mel

Tue Nov 18, 2008 19:05

Every year I get a threatening letter from the licensing authority about not having a TV license. Every year I reply telling them that as I don't have a TV, would not be interested in having one, even if they gave it to me and would only give it away if they did; because I don't happen to like the energy that they give off. Why should I buy a license for something I don't have ?

I never receive an apology for their false accusation, because I don't believe anyone reads my replies or perhaps they are just to dumb to understand plain English.

Television is an intrusion into the home and constant watching of their programmes allows the watcher to be slowly brain washed by commerce into wasting money on frivolous items.

As for RTE they can't even run a decent internet news channel, it's always full of old material. Any one of the lads that write on indy could make a better job of the site.

Funding the Arts and asses

by eco joe

Thu Nov 20, 2008 15:25

Fair pay to Mr Behal for this jester against state censorship (RTE Authority). I dont watch TV as its like being a sheep lock in a pen eating rotting straw.

Its some situation where you are a criminal if you don't choose to be a television spectator

STOP PRESS - case moved 20 miles away without notice to defendant

by Richard Behal

Fri Nov 21, 2008 13:58

STOP PRESS - case moved 20 miles to Tralee and then 45 miles to Kenmare without notice to defendant

Statement form Richard Behal:

I rang the Courts Service on Thursday 20 November to confirm the details of the appeal of my conviction for not possessing a TV licence. The case was due to be held next Tuesday (25 Nov) in Killarney Court House, or so I thought.

I was surprised to be informed that the case has been moved over 20 miles away to Tralee Court House on Tuesday and, should it run on, a further 45 miles way to Kenmare on Wednesday. Killarney Courthouse is being 'renovated'. The person I spoke to said this should come as no surprise to me as my solicitor would have been informed. I informed him that I had no solicitor, as I was representing myself and I had not been informed. I said this is most unsatisfactory. Had I not rung, I would not have been present in Tralee to present my appeal. Neither would the many people who have contacted me to offer me their support. I would at this point like here to thank those who have contacted me personally, or who have sent me many messages of support by email, text or by telephone.

With all due respect to the Circuit Court this has the effect of turning those who seek to make application to it into a traveling circus.

In the circumstances, with this confusion that is not of my making, I will be asking the judge to consider a certain course of action. I will be making contact with my supporters to assess the situation in the next few days.

Richard Behal
richard.behal@gmail.com
087 4100691, 064 32723

Deferred to Feb 1 2009

by Justice Delayed

Wed Nov 26, 2008 10:35

Due to the change of venue not notified to Richard Behal in good time, the Judge agreed to Richard Behal's proposal that the case be deferred. The appeal against Behal’s conviction for non-possession of a television licence will be heard on February 1 2009.

Follow Your Heart

by Michael - Human League

Wed Nov 26, 2008 12:49

Good luck to you in your on going crusade and remember ''Justice Should Never Have Time Constraints ''

I ought to know.................

Richard Behal on TG4 tonight - in court 11 May 2010

by Basil Goulding - The Old Guard

Tue Apr 27, 2010 17:17

Just like old times - Richard Behal in court and on television

Richard Behal back in Court 11 may 2010 - Killarney, Co Kerry

Behal in the 60s - TG4 tonight (a)

Behal in the 60s - TG4 tonight (b)

British Ambassador complains about Richard Behal on RTE Late Late Show with Gay Byrne - April 1968 - 42 years ago

Didn't hear Richard on RTE radio promoting the programme

by Albert Einstein

Tue Apr 27, 2010 17:38

Didn't hear Richard on RTE radio promoting the programme !!??

Maybe different rules operate now - I'd hate to think he was censored.

Good luck Richard

RTE break the Law.

by Smart Phone User.

Wed Apr 28, 2010 13:31

I can pick up television stations on my iPhone.

RTE have decided not to demand TV licences from smartphone users.

The trouble is.

My iPhone is "A television reception apparatus" as defined in the law.

RTE are breaking the law when they refuse to demand a licence from me.

.

Logical Contradiction.

by Scientist.

Wed Apr 28, 2010 15:02

Everybody in the country can refuse to pay their TV licence when RTE refuses to collect TV licences from iPhone owners.
.

LIcense

by Vincent

Thu Apr 29, 2010 14:28

Why should any one have to pay for a TV license? After all, when you pruchased your TV, they'r e was no notice to say that you had to buy one or even that is law. I too have never held a TV license and never shall. AnPost have not heard all the excuses, because they have never brought me to court for not having one. I give great excuses at the door..........."no, thats me, goodnight"....... "Do I have to purchase a televison if I but TV license stamps?"...............I've had enough of fear mongering from the elite who run my country and profit at our expense. Ireland is a free country.

Watch TG4 programme on Richard Behal prison escape here:

by Lord Reith

Thu Apr 29, 2010 15:03

Watch TG4 programme on Richard Behal prison escape here:
http://beo.tg4.ie/main.aspx?level=&content=82002226177&...Behal

PART 2 Watch TG4 programme on Richard Behal prison escape here:

Thu Apr 29, 2010 15:13

PART 2 Watch TG4 programme on Richard Behal prison escape here:
http://beo.tg4.ie/main.aspx?level=&content=82024721409&...Behal

Richard Behal up in Court this morning

by E.S.B. Pylon

Thu Apr 14, 2011 11:02

Back in Court - today in Killarney Court House - will they send this anti-censorship protester to jail.

See info above.

Richard Behal statement - CLICK to READ