Ben Gilroy
Ben Gilroy is an Irish political activist, anti-eviction campaigner and conspiracy theorist who was leader of Direct Democracy Ireland (DDI) from 2012 to 2014.
Ben Gilroy | |
|---|---|
| Leader of Direct Democracy Ireland | |
| In office November 2012 – 4 February 2014 | |
| Preceded by | Raymond Whitehead |
| Succeeded by | Jan Van De Ven |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Raheny, Dublin, Ireland |
| Political party | Direct Democracy Ireland |
| Other political affiliations | Independent (2019; 2021–2024) Irish Freedom Party (2020) |
| Spouse | Sarah-Jane Gilroy |
| Children | 4 |
| Residence(s) | Navan, County Meath |
| Known for | Political activism, anti-eviction activism |
| Website | bengilroy |
Gilroy was once a campaigner against evictions and has been described as a "serial litigant" for his multiple legal actions taken against Irish banks. During one of these court hearings, Gilroy threatened and abused the court in a written affidavit and was charged with contempt of court as a result. He was sentenced to 80 hours of community service but failed to attend. As a consequence of his failure to attend the community service, he was subsequently sentenced to 3 months' imprisonment.
Gilroy has republished a number of conspiracy theories relating to the COVID-19 pandemic in Ireland.
He unsuccessfully stood for the European Parliament on a number of occasions, including in the Midlands–North-West constituency in 2014 and in the Dublin constituency for the 2019 European Parliament election. He also unsuccessfully campaigned for a seat in the Dáil in the Meath East constituency in a 2013 by-election and 2016 general election, and as a candidate with the right-wing Irish Freedom Party in the Dublin Bay North constituency at the 2020 general election.