LAST UPDATE | 24 Nov 2023

OVER THIRTY PEOPLE have been called before Dublin District Court on theft and public order related charges after rioting and looting caused chaos on the streets of Dublin last night.

Judges across multiple courtrooms in the Criminal Courts of Justice heard the charges.

In several cases, people have been charged with engaging in threatening and abusive behaviour, or using insulting language with intent to provoke a breach of the peace.

People have also been charged with behaving recklessly in a manner which may have caused a breach of the peace.

Bail has been granted in all cases so far, on the condition that the accused persons do not enter Dublin 1 or 2 for the duration of their court case, and that they do not participate in organised or unorganised gatherings.

Exceptions have been made for some accused persons who are engaged in work in Dublin 1 and 2.

People aged from their early twenties to those in their late fifties have appeared in court so far.

Five people appeared charged with breaching the public order act in courtroom 4 of the Criminal Courts of Justice.

In all cases, Sergeant Derek Spain requested that the five accused – one woman and four men – be granted bail only on the condition that they do no enter Dublin 1 or 2 until their case is decided, and that they do not take part in any organised or unorganised gatherings in Dublin city.

In some cases, the former part of the request was dropped as the accused persons had to enter Dublin city centre for work.

Bail was set at a bond of €200 in most cases. In all cases, the judge said that if the conditions of bail were broken, the accused person would be remanded in custody.

Abdulwahab Salawe, from Tyrrelstown, is charged with possession of a knife “which had a blade which was sharply pointed”, under the firearms and offensive weapons act. 

He was also charged with being in violation of the public order act, for obstructing Garda Tal Elliot, a peace officer, who was trying to do his duty. 

Salawe was found on Wolfe Tone Street in Dublin 1 by Gardaí last night. 

Nathan Watters, 28, of Bray, Wicklow, stood accused of engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting language, with an intent to cause a breach of the peace, contrary to Section 6 of the Public Order Act.

He appeared in court in a black puffer jacket and black tracksuit bottoms.

An Garda Siochana reported that he was found last night, on O’Connell Bridge, by garda Kevin Moore, who found him to be loitering, and giving rise to concern for the wellbeing of people in his vicinity.

When directed to leave the area he failed to comply, the court was told.

He agreed to terms of bail and is due back in court on 26 January 2024.

Shauna O’ Hanlon, 25, of Beaumont, appeared in court accused of having engaged in threatening, abusive or insulting language with an intent to provoke a breach of the peace and behaving recklessly to an extent that may have caused a breach of the peace.

When she was found by gardaí on O’Connell Street Upper last night, she failed to comply with Garda Natasha Martin’s directions that she should vacate the area, the court was told. 

O’Hanlon agreed to stay out of Dublin 1 and 2 for the duration of her proceedings, and not to participate in organised or unorganised gatherings.

Bill Casey, 55, of Dun Laoghaire, was found last night by gardaí on Suffolk Street, intoxicated to the degree that his behaviour was giving rise to concern about his safety and that of those around him, the court heard.

He is charged with being in breach of the public order act.

He is also accused of engaging in abusive language in a public place, or behaving recklessly to a degree that he may have caused a breach of the peace.

Shane McGonagle, 23, of Upper Churchtown Road in Dublin, appeared in court accused of using abusive and threatening language on Abbey Street Upper in the early morning today with intent to provoke a breach of the peace.

He told Judge Finan that he earns somewhere in the region of €500 per week, and she informed him that he would be entitled to free legal aid. 

Paul Courtney, 25, from Santry, is accused of using threatening language, also on Abbey Street Upper, with intent of causing a breach of the peace, and being reckless to the point where a breach of the peace may have been occasioned, in the early hours of this morning.

He appeared in court wearing a pink hoodie and in tracksuit bottoms. He agreed to stay out of Dublin 1 and 2 as a condition of his bail, and to avoid public gatherings.

Stefan Dixon, wearing a navy jumper and grey bottoms, appeared before Ms Justice Shalom Binchy charged under section 17 of the theft act.

The judge set conditions that he must stay away from the Dublin 1 area, stay sober and reside at his address at Cushlawn Park in Tallaght. He is due to reappear in court on 5 January 2024.

Bail conditions 

Paul O’Toole, was charged in relation to alleged breaches of sections 6 and 24 of the public order act. Wearing a grey top and green bottoms, he was told to stay away from the Dublin 1 and Dublin 2 areas and reside at his address at Springfield Gardens, Celbridge.

He is due to appear in court again on 16 February.

Gavin Doyle, wearing a black Nike hoodie, with an address at Ridgewood Green in Swords, is charged with breaches of Section 8 of the Public Order Act, told the court that he “literally just accepted a job yesterday”.

As part of his bail terms, he was told to reside at his address and stay away from Dublin 1 and Dublin 2.

One day a week, he is permitted to pass through these areas as he volunteers at a hospital supporting mental health patients, the court heard. He is due to reappear before the court on 19 January.

Jack O’Connell, wearing a grey jacket, was charged with breaches of sections 4 and 6 of the Public Order Act. He said he was currently out of work, and receiving a social welfare payment.

He was ordered by Ms Justice Binchy to reside at his home at Cromlech Fields in Ballybrack and stay away from the Dublin 1 and Dublin 2 areas.

Levente Kancz, dressed in a blue and navy jacket, with an address at Cherrywood in Celbridge, was charged with breaches of Section 21 of the Public Order Act.

He was told to reside at his address, stay out of Dublin 1 and Dublin 2 areas, and was also given a curfew from midnight to 7am. He is due to reappear in court on 12 January.

Jamie Reid, wearing a hooded top and blue jeans, was charged with breaches of Section 6 of the Public Order Act. He was advised by the judge to stay sober, reside at his address on Thomas Street in Dublin 8, and stay out of Dublin 1 and Dublin 2.

He is due to reappear in court on 19 January.

Jamie Robinson (23) of Windmill Avenue, Crumlin was charged with possessing stolen property – a Puma hoodie, socks and eight boxes of cigarettes, at Parnell Street. Seeking a curfew, Sgt Lynch said the incident happened at 10.30pm last night at Parnell Street and “it was in relation to the incidents involved in last night’s protests”.

Judge Bryan Smyth granted bail on condition Mr Robinson signs on three times weekly at a garda station and observes a curfew.

Mr Robinson was remanded on bail to January 5, when he will be expected to indicate a plea.

Aaron Brophy (32) of Brendan Behan Court, Dublin 1 was charged with possession of stolen property – €440 cash, three boxes of John Player Blue cigarettes, and four packets of cigarette skins, on Parnell Street. 

Sgt Lynch objected to bail but the judge granted it subject to conditions. The judge granted bail to include an independent surety of €600, half in cash or €400 cash in lieu. Defence solicitor Michael Kelleher asked the judge to reduce this, saying Mr Brophy “wouldn’t be in a position to lodge any great amount”.

Judge Smyth said the amount was appropriate. Under conditions, Mr Brophy must stay off Parnell Street and keep a curfew. He was remanded in custody with consent to bail to Cloverhill District Court on December 1.

Josh Brophy (34) of no fixed address was charged with possession of a knuckle duster as a weapon, intended to unlawfully to cause injury to, incapacitate or intimidate another, on Parnell Street.

He was granted bail with no garda objection. Under conditions, he must sign on three times weekly at a garda station, stay off Parnell Street and obey a curfew. No cash was required.

Sgt Lynch said DPP directions would be required in the case. Judge Smyth granted free legal aid before remanding Mr Brophy on bail to February 16 next year.

Reeves Fox (24) of Park Villas, Longford was charged with threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour and possession of knives, at Parliament Street.

The court heard a garda allegedly “came across the defendant in possession of kitchen knives on Parliament Street”.

Mr Fox was not legally represented and the judge said he may want to consult a solicitor but he might not qualify for legal aid after he said he was earning €30,000 per year.

Under bail conditions, Mr Fox is to stay out of Dublin 1 and 2, save for travelling to work.

Mr Fox is also to keep a curfew except for work and must “not partake in any violent protest or large gathering.” Asked if he had any issue with that, he said “I haven’t done it yet.”

He was remanded on bail to January 12, to decide on a plea.

Charged 

Keith Devine (28) who resides at a hostel on New Cabra Road, is charged with threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour and failing to comply with garda directions, at O’Connell Bridge.

He was also granted bail with no objections. As well as a curfew and condition to stay out of Dublin 1 and 2, he must not partake in any protest or large gathering.

He was remanded on bail to January 5, to decide on a plea.

Legal aid was granted after his solicitor Tracy Horan said Mr Devine was not working and was on social welfare.

David Moffatt (45) of Moyne Road, Ranelagh was charged with threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour at O’Connell Bridge.

Under bail conditions, he is to stay out of Dublin 1 and 2, observe a curfew and not partake in any violent protest or large gathering.

There was a possibility of further charges in his case and he was remanded on bail to February 2. Legal aid was granted.

Karl Crawley (43) of McDermott Apartments, Dublin 1 is charged with threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour, at O’Connell Street.

Under bail conditions, he is to stay out of Dublin 2 and O’Connell Street, observe a curfew and not partake in any violent protest or gathering.

Legal aid was granted and he was remanded on bail to 19 January, for the accused to decide on a plea.

Charlene Deegan (40), of Phoenix View in Dublin 8, was charged under the public order act, she was also on two breaches of bail charges, the court today heard. 

Her charge was related to allegedly trespassing on The Music Cafe on Wellington Quay “with intent to commit an offence or to unlawfully interfere with any property situate therein”.

Her bail conditions will see her sign on three times a week at a garda station, reside at her current residence and stay out of the Dublin 1 and Dublin 2 areas. She is due to appear again before the court on 15th December for a plea.

Igor Grigorita (25) from Co Meath was charged with obstructing a Garda drugs search and using threatening language at Capel Street. Under his bail conditions he will have to observe a curfew. 

Mark Wiggins (57) of Parnell Square is charged with threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour and failing to comply with garda directions, on O’Connell Street. His solicitor Margaret McEvilly questioned the requirement for a curfew and  Garda Sergeant Lynch, who read the charges, said:  “Mr Wiggins was arrested in the course of a large scale public order incident occurred in the city centre in the latter half of yesterday evening.”
Ms McEvilly said “a lot of people may have been caught up in an incident they weren’t actually involved in” and her client would be contesting the case.

Mr Wiggins was bailed to appear again for a plea on December 15. 

Sorcha O’ Donoghue (45) of Finglas is charged with possession of stolen clothes and electronic items worth €200, after she was found by Gardaí on Dame Street.

Matthew Fallon (37) of Dublin 1 was charged with threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour at Store Street. He was bailed on the conditions that he stay away from Dublin 2 and O’Connell street, and not participate in protests or gatherings.