A MAN ACCUSED of rioting, looting and torching a Luas tram during “mass” disturbances in Dublin in November has been sent forward for trial.

John Tate, 61, of Iveagh Trust, Kevin St, Dublin 8, was later charged with two counts of arson, two violent disorder incidents, and two incidents of obstructing traffic at Parnell Street and O’Connell Street on 23 November.

He is also accused of two related offences: burglary of the Foot Locker clothing and footwear shop and rioting on O’Connell Street on the same date.

Mr Tate made his fifth appearance at Dublin District Court today, when prosecutors served him with a book of evidence.

Judge Alan Mitchell noted that the Director of Public Prosecutions decided the accused must face “trial on indictment” at a higher level with broader sentencing powers.

Accordingly, he agreed to grant a return-for-trial order and send Mr Tate forward to the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, where the case will be listed on 17 October for mention.

The accused, who remains on €5,000 bail and is still to enter a plea, must notify the prosecution if he intends to use an alibi in his defence.

Legal aid was granted to include senior counsel representation due to the seriousness of the case.

The judge also granted an order for prosecutors to disclose copies of video evidence to the defence.

Mr Tate must continue obeying stringent conditions not to attend demonstrations, obey a curfew and “no online activity”.

At his first court appearance in February, Detective Sergeant Eoghan Byrne said the accused “made no reply” when charged.

The contested bail hearing was told that at 3.30 pm on 23 November, gardaí became aware of a demonstration at the Garden of Remembrance.

Protesters assembled and a series of criminal acts “quickly escalated into a mass riot”, described as “an unprecedented act of public disorder”.

It was alleged that Mr Tate “blocked” a Luas tram carrying passengers at O’Connell Street, causing it to halt and reverse.

Detective Sergeant Byrne claimed Mr Tate also obstructed a bus carrying passengers, forcing it to stop.

He allegedly took part in violent disorder at the Parnell Street – O’Connell Street junction, where he passed a garda cordon.

The cordon was in place due to an earlier stabbing incident in which three children and a creche worker were injured.

It was claimed he “encouraged, led and directed” others to break the cordon and aggressively approach the crime scene.

The court heard that he is accused of arson of a Luas tram on O’Connell Street by setting fire to rubbish bags, which quickly spread and caused “extensive damage”.

The court heard that he approached it again and added further material to the blaze, causing it to spread and damage the tram and surrounding infrastructure.

According to Detective Sergeant Byrne, Mr Tate allegedly threw missiles and tried to open the rear door of a patrol van, causing gardaí to leave the area.

Store Street detectives harvested a large amount of CCTV and allegedly traced his movements for four hours. No monetary estimate was given for the damage.

His bail bond states that he must reside at his present address, not apply for a replacement passport, refrain from online activity, remain contactable by mobile phone, not participate in demonstrations, sign on three days a week at a Garda station, and obey a 12pm to 6am curfew.

Gardaí have already brought dozens of people before the courts on criminal damage, public order, weapons, thefts and various other charges in connection with the rioting and looting during the riots.

The unrest in the city erupted after a girl, aged five, was severely wounded in a stabbing at Parnell Square on the afternoon of 23 November. 

Two other children and a crèche worker from Dublin were also injured.

Riad Bouchaker, 50, who has no fixed abode, was charged on 21 December with the attempted murders of two girls and a boy, as well as assault and production of the 36-centimetre knife.

He remains in custody on remand pending trial