Police called to Gympie Magistrates Court over Pyramid protesters

There were explosive scenes in Gympie Magistrates Court on Monday amid ongoing tensions between Bruce Highway bypass ‘Pyramid’ protesters and authorities.

Police were called to the Gympie courthouse on Monday after a group of ‘Pyramid’ protesters got into a standoff with Magistrate Chris Callaghan.

The court was packed as Dianne Patricia Redden-King, Jason Edward Quick, Cheryl May Tomlinson, Lauren Jane Granger-Brown, Paul David Jukes, Zachariah John Monaghan and Dawn Myrtle Tomlinson appeared.

Their co-accused, Gary Roy Tomlinson, otherwise known as Wit-Booka, was not present.

The group is involved in an ongoing matter in Gympie Magistrates Court since they were arrested at the construction site for the Gympie Bypass near the Gympie Pyramid, also known as Rocky Ridge, on October 15.

Cheryl Tomlinson was second to speak after Dianne Redden-King, who was told an application for a directions hearing would need to be served to the Police Commissioner in Brisbane.

Diane Redden-King asked to have the bail applications amended so she and the group of protesters may travel to Brisbane to serve an application for a directions hearing to the Police Commissioner in Brisbane.

Ms Redden-King also asked Mr Callaghan to amend the groups’ bail conditions to allow them to travel to Brisbane by train from Gympie North station; which is within 200m of the Gympie Bypass site and would otherwise breach their bail conditions.

Mr Callaghan said he understood and had the conditions amended.

Ms Redden-King and a small group of the protesters then left the courtroom, leaving Ms Tomlinson and the remaining group behind.

The Gympie Pyramid site has been under police guard since the group of protesters were arrested on October 15, 2021. Photo: Scott Kovacevic

Ms Tomlinson, who insisted Mr Callaghan call her “Aunty Bucky”, said her name on the court documents was “bestowed through the means of genocide”.

Mr Callaghan said he was happy to refer to her as Aunty Bucky from now on, and asked her if she wanted to have the matter adjourned until June 27, in line with her co-accused.

She did not answer and instead told Mr Callaghan each court appearance was costing her and the other protester’s money.

The two began to argue, and Mr Callaghan ordered Ms Tomlinson and the remainder of the group to leave.

Gympie Magistrates Court erupted in a shouting match when protesters and Magistrate Chris Callaghan became involved in a standoff.

When they refused, Mr Callaghan asked police prosecutor Melissa Campbell to call the police.

“You’re not going to have a protest in here. I’m now giving you all a direction to leave this courtroom,” Mr Callaghan said.

When the group continued to speak over the top of Mr Callaghan, he left via the side door.

Once he was gone, the group left the room also.

Ms Tomlinson was remanded to reappear in Gympie Magistrates Court on June 6, 2022. The remaining protesters will return on June 27.