FIFTEEN PEOPLE HAVE appeared in court charged with a range of public order offences following scenes of disorder and clashes with Gardaí in Coolock.
Thirteen men and two women appeared before a late night sitting at the Criminal Courts of Justice last night.
It came after major disturbances erupted at a site designated to house asylum seekers in the north Dublin suburb.
A large-scale security operation continued throughout the day and evening after Gardaí clashed with protesters at the former Crown Paints factory in Coolock.
More than 200 members of An Garda Síochána were deployed in response to the disturbances, including frontline uniformed members supported by Public Order Gardaí.
There were clashes between police and anti-immigrant demonstrators after a number of fires broke out at the entrance to the site earlier in the day. Further confrontations took place yesterday evening, with rocks and fireworks flung at gardaí, who deployed pepper spray against protesters.
The 15 people were charged with a range of offences under the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994.
Among those charged was Philip Dwyer, 56, of Tallaght Cross, West Tallaght, Dublin 24, who unsuccessfully ran in the recent European and local elections.
His solicitor told the court that Dwyer is a “citizen journalist as a hobby” and often “reports on gatherings”.
Judge Dermot Dempsey replied: “He can live with consequences now. If he breaches the bail conditions, the bail could be revoked and he could face custody.”
Anthony Moody, 34, of Clonshaugh Walk, Dublin 17, was among the first to appear in court.
The court in Dublin was told that after caution, he made no reply.
As part of his bail conditions, he has to sign on at Coolock Garda Station and stay away from the former Crown Paints site in Malahide Road. He was also ordered not to wear a balaclava in public.
Asked if he will abide by the conditions, he told the court “yep”.
Also appearing in court was Mia Johanna Kearney, 28, of no fixed abode, who works as a part-time hairdresser.
Also charged was Dean Ward, 29, of Cromcastle Crescent, Coolock; Colin Belton, 28, of Belcamp Avenue in Priorswood, Dublin 17; Christopher Byrne, 27, of Marigold Crescent in Darndale; John Turner, 40, of Ferrycarrig Place, Coolock; Josh Hanlon, 23, of Marigold Crescent in Darndale; Patrick Scanlon, 38, also of Marigold Crescent.
Also appearing were Andrew Vickery, 30, of Moatview Avenue in Darndale; Stephen Burke, 28, of Bunratty Road in Coolock; Joyce Bergin, 42, of Cromcastle Park, Kilmore; Owen Burke, 51, of Newtown Drive, Ayrfield Estate; Martin Maughan, 18, of Chanel Grove in Coolock; and Paul Metcalfe, 18, of Botanic Road.
All defendants were charged under Section 6 under Public Order Offence, namely engaging in threatening and abusive behaviour on 15 July.
All defendants, except Mia Johanna Kearney, were also charged under Section 8, in failing to comply with garda directions on the same date.
Kearney was also charged with a dangerous driving offence on 15 July.
They were granted bail on their own bond of €300 euro.
All defendants were released on bail and subject to the same bail conditions, including to stay away from the former Crown Paints site, and not to engage in any antisocial behaviour or protests.
Judge Dempsey warned the defendants that if they breach any of the conditions, their bail will be revoked.
With reporting by Press Association
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