Karen Fitzgibbon, Jay Larbalestier, Alan Glover, Deanna Coco: Fireproof Australia Protesters granted bail

Four people charged with blocking peak-hour traffic on Sydney Harbour Bridge allegedly stopped an ambulance from getting to an emergency, a court has heard.

Four protesters charged over the peak-hour shutdown of a Sydney Harbour Bridge lane have had their alleged plans for another protest on the same city-bound road revealed in court.

Deanna Coco, 31, Karen Fitzgibbon, 44, Jay Larbalestier, 36, and Alan Glover, 65, appeared in Central Local Court on Thursday charged with entering Sydney Harbour Bridge to disrupt vehicles, interfering with the safe operation of the bridge and refusing to comply with police direction.

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

Deanna Coco, 31, was arrested during the Fireproof Australia protests. Picture: Michelle Haywood

Alan Glover was granted bail after being arrested on Sydney Harbour Bridge on Wednesday. Picture: Michelle Haywood

Crown Prosecutor Maja Obirek opposed bail for the four defendants, claiming they would post continued risk to the community if they were released. She told the court an ambulance could not get through to an emergency on Wednesday morning.

Ms Obirek showed the magistrate a screenshot of a Facebook event which appeared to prove the group was planning to protest on the Sydney Harbour Bridge again on Thursday.

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 Fitzgibbon leaves Surry Hills police station on Thursday. Picture: Christian Gilles

Alan Glover (right) leaves court. Picture: Christian Gilles

The lawyer for Glover, a Rural Fire Service deputy captain and also charged with lighting a flare at the protest, said his client was concerned for his eligibility to remain in the position if he received a criminal conviction.

Magistrate Shields granted Glover bail on the extra conditions he does not enter Sydney’s CBD or within 10km of the Sydney Harbour Bridge – the same conditions imposed on Fitz-Gibbon’s bail.

When it came to the alleged “ringleader” Coco, conditions were tougher.

She was ordered to not leave her residence except for medical attention or to attend court and would need someone to pay $10,000 for her release.

Police say two protesters got on top of a truck to disrupt traffic. Picture: David Swift

Ms Obirek argued she had been caught taking part in similar several protests before.

Coco responded by telling the court this was the first time she had decided she would stop demonstrating as she wanted to look after her sick mother who had been admitted to hospital overnight.

Magistrate Shields granted Larbalestier bail on the condition $5000 is paid for his release. He told the court Larbalestier was in breach of a community corrections order for similar offences at the time of his arrest.

Larbalestier said he was concerned to learn an ambulance driver could not get through the bridge and he thought “measures” were in place for ambulances to use another lane.

Four people arrested at Wednesday’s protests were granted bail

“I am very sorry that I caused distress or inconvenience to anyone but I was driven by a desire to protect the community,” he told the court.

Fitz-Gibbon and Glover did not enter pleas and their matters were adjourned until April 28 at Sydney’s Downing Centre District Court.

A self-represented Larbalestier pleaded guilty and was listed for sentence on the same date.

Also self-represented, Coco indicated a plea of guilty to some charges and not guilty to others. Her case was adjourned until May 26 in Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court.