Karen Fitz-Gibbon: Fireproof Australia protester makes bid for bail variation

A mum charged with blocking peak-hour traffic on Sydney Harbour Bridge as part of a climate emergency protest which allegedly stopped an ambulance on call, now wants her bail conditions changed.

A 45-year-old Robertson mum charged over the peak-hour shutdown of Sydney Harbour Bridge as part of the “Fireproof Australia” climate activist group has fronted court in a bid for modifications to her bail conditions.

Karen Fitz-Gibbon is one of the four protesters — her co-accused are Deanna Coco, 31, Jay Larbalestier, 36, and Alan Glover, 65 — who were charged with entering Sydney Harbour Bridge to disrupt vehicles, interfering with the safe operation of the bridge and resisting police directions.

These charges spring from Fireproof Australia’s shutdown of the Harbour Bridge on Wednesday April 13.

Police allege two of the protesters glued themselves to the lane on Wednesday morning and two others climbed onto the roof of a truck, displaying banners and lighting two flares.

On April 14, Magistrate Brett Shields granted each of them bail on the shared condition they do not contact each other or any other members of the “Fireproof Australia” climate activist group which led the protest.

Karen Fitz-Gibbon leaves the Surry Hills Police Station in Sydney after she was granted bail on April 14. Picture: Christian Gilles.

Both Glover and Fitz-Gibbon were also granted bail on the condition they do not enter Sydney’s CBD or within 10km of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Today, appearing via videolink at Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court, Fitz-Gibbon applied to have her strict bail conditions varied — seeking to enter the CBD for medical appointments and have travel restrictions lifted so she could attend a wedding at Darling Point.

Karen Fitz-Gibbon arrested on the Harbour Bridge. Picture: Michelle Haywood.

Fitz-Gibbon also sought clarification on contacting other members of Fireproof Australia.

The court heard she has many friends who may be part of this protest group — twelve who she knows are, but declined to name except to say “they are decent people” — and wishes to remain in contact with them.

But Magistrate Susan Horan refused to vary this bail condition, even though Fitz-Gibbon’s defence lawyer Michael Hempsall told the court one of the co-accused, Glover, has had this specific bail condition varied.

“The defence says it is a question of fairness, but I am not persuaded,” Ms Horan said, adding the non-contact bail condition is reasonable and proportionate to the alleged offences.

Co-accused Alan Glover (in red shirt), leaving the Surry Hills Police Station in April. Picture: Christian Gilles.

However, Ms Horan lifted the travel restriction in part by allowing Fitz-Gibbon to enter the CBD for medical appointments.

“(But) she must have written documentation confirming the appointment in her possession and produce that to the police as reasonably requested,” Ms Horan said.

Ms Horan also allowed the travel restrictions to be suspended so Fitz-Gibbon could attend a wedding at Darling Point.

“I understand this was not the result she was after … but I have tried to make my reasons clear to her,” Ms Horan said, specifically referring to the communication restrictions.

Fitz-Gibbon, who has yet to enter any pleas, will return to court for hearing in March 2023.