Joan Collins has pleaded NOT guilty to failing to comply with the directions of Garda at a water charge protest in Dublin last April.
The United Left Alliance TD will stand trial with ten other protesters in February.
Joan Collins led the chants outside court before her and ten others appeared before Judge Michael Walsh this afternoon.
A lot of CCTV evidence has been gathered, but concerns were raised about a video allegedly recorded on the personal device of a Garda, as well as footage from a nearby filling station that has since been taped over.
Deputy CollinsÂ’ solicitor asked for the earliest available trial date. He said his client wanted to clear her name before the election, and she'Â’s pleased it has been pencilled in for February.
Three others will stand trial in March in relation to the alleged use of “threatening, insulting and abusive” language towards President Michael D. Higgins during a separate protest last January.
The court heard enquiries will be made to see if the President can be called to give evidence himself.
Our Courts Correspondent Frank Greaney reports:
