Murnane became a household name in New Zealand in 2010.

He had been charged with burglary and wilful damage to the Waihopai spy base near Blenheim - charges the High Court acquitted Murnane and two others of in 2011.

The first the 82-year old heard of his alleged involvement in the Blockade Australia demonstration was when two police officers turned up on his doorstep.

"They presented me with an eight-page charge sheet accusing me of being at a protest in Sydney in June this year," he says.

That late-June protest was one of two unauthorised demonstrations. Scores of climate demonstrators converged on Sydney's CBD, chaotically disrupting the morning peak-hour traffic.

If found guilty of causing serious disruption to roads, rail, and ports, he and others could be fined AUD$22,000 and be jailed for two years.

Murnane says he's been accused of blocking access to the Sydney Harbour Bridge and blocking George Street and other streets. He says he's also been accused of "walking about throughout a long protest playing a drum".

The police told him he was seen on CCTV, public media and Facebook live streaming.

"That was quite amazing to me. I was in Melbourne during those days and weeks so it was quite a puzzle to me."

He says he doesn't own or play a drum, either. Nor has he been involved in any Blockade Australia protests.

New South Wales (NSW) Police "deserve to be called to account for this pretty horrendous mistake" he says.

The head of the Dominican church community in the Melbourne suburb of Camberwell, Father Mark O'Brien, is defending Murnane's innocence.

"I can confirm that this allegation is quite mistaken or false ... he was at St Dominic's on 27th June and so could not have been in Sydney on the same day," he stated on ABCs 7.30 programme.

Lawyer Mark Davis is acting for a group of Blockade Australia protesters and supporters.

He says he's asked for the Police to drop the charges against Murnane, but they have not responded.

The Police won't comment on the case to media either, as it's before the court.

Source

• ABC

• In 2008 Adrian Leason, Father Peter Murnane and Sam Land were acquitted of causing intentional damage during a protest at the site
• In October 2010, the Attorney-General, Christopher Finlayson, lodged a civil claim, on behalf of the GCSB, for for $1,229,289, including the cost of beer, juice and savouries for staff who worked to repair the damage.
• In August 2011 the High Court ruled in favour of the Crown and a summary judgement in relation to the $1.2 million damages claim was awarded in the government's favour, as well as court costs.
• In October 2013 the Court of Appeal dismissed an appeal by Waihopai Ploughshares against the High Court decision.
• In November 2013, Waihopai Ploughshares appealed the judgment to the Supreme Court.
• On Wednesday 5 February 2014 Finlayson said there is no benefit in further pursuing the case as there was little chance the Crown would ever see money from that lawsuit.

Source

• The New Zealand Herald
• Scoop
• Radio New Zealand
• Image: cairnspeacebypeace.org

"There really isn't much a creditor can do with respect to a debtor who truly is out of funds. You can't get blood from a turnip, so not that much can be done. So one wonders, what is the ultimate purpose, " says Hodge.

The peace protesters who damaged the Waihopai spy base in Marlborough now face $1.2 million damages claim, after the Court of Appeal found against them.

In 2008, Father Murnane, Samuel Land and Adrian Leason entered Waihopai and punctured an inflatable dome covering a large antennae.

In 2010 a jury acquitted the three on criminal charges, but the Crown then took civil action against them.

Murnane, who is a Dominican friar in his early 70s, has not had a bank account for half a century.

In May he said anyone demanding compensation from him would have to grab him by the ankles and shake him to find any money.

The activists say they will decide in the next two weeks whether to seek leave for a further appeal.

Source

• Stuff.co.nz
• Radio New Zealand
• Image: The livingmoon.com

They based their action on the Christ's admonition, found in Matthews's Gospel, that if you are sued and lose your coat, give your shirt as well.

One of the protesters, Father Peter Murnane, wants their "gifts" declared on the prime minister's list of pecuniary interests.

The 72-year-old Dominican priest says it is 50 years since he had a bank account.

He says those demanding compensation from him would have to grab him by the ankles and shake him to find any money.

In 2008, Father Murnane, farmer Samuel Land and teacher Adrian Leason entered the Waihopai spy base in Marlborough and punctured an inflatable dome covering a large antennae.

They were acquitted of criminal charges of burglary and intentional damage, but they now face a civil claim for the cost of the damage.

At a fast-track "summary judgment" hearing, an associate judge decided they had no defence to the claim, although the amount of damages was not decided.

The three protesters have appealed against the decision that they have no defence. They say they have defences to the claim, including one about claims based on illegal acts.

The court has reserved its decision.

Source

• Stuff.co.nz
• Image: Cairnspeacebypeace

A preliminary hearing in the High Court at Wellington on Monday will hear the merits on whether the civil case the Government has taken should proceed.

In 2008 teacher Adrian Leason, Dominican friar Peter Murnane and farmer Sam Land cut through alarmed electric fences at the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) base near Blenheim and deflated the fibre enclosure.

The trio used the "claim of right" defence - subsequently amended by the Government - and said they were saving lives in Iraq by disrupting satellite transmissions and were acting for the greater good. A jury found them not guilty of burglary and wilful damage.

The Crown is seeking $1.2m in damages, about $1.14m of which is the cost of the repairs. It is also seeking about $400 for providing food and drink for the workers who carried out the repairs.

Fr Murnane said the fact the three had no money raised a big question over the whole procedure, but the Crown was pursuing them regardless.

Source

• NZ Herald
• Image: Facebook