A DUBLIN MAN has been sent forward for trial accused of rioting and setting fire to a Garda car during violence and looting in Dublin on November 23 last year. 

The incidents in the city centre were among the most serious and “largest scenes of public disorder that has ever occurred in the history of the State”, a court had heard.

They broke out after an earlier incident where three children were severely injured in a knife attack at Parnell Square.

Declan Donaghey, 27, from William’s Place, Upper Dorset Street, had a book of evidence served on him by Garda Detective Michelle Fitzpatrick at Dublin District Court today. 

State solicitor Brian Coveney told District Court President Judge Paul Kelly that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) consented to trial on indictment.

Judge Kelly granted a return-for-trial order, sending Mr Donaghey forward to the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, where the case will be listed for mention on July 4.

The defendant nodded when the judge warned him to inform the prosecution if he intended to use an alibi.

The judge ordered gardai to hand over interview videos to the defence.

Donaghey, who has yet to enter a plea, was remanded on bail. He was granted legal aid, including senior counsel after defence solicitor Holly Laher cited the seriousness of the case.

One of his bail terms was altered, changing the requirement to sign on at a garda station daily to three days a week.

He is accused of four offences at Parnell Street: arson by setting fire to a marked Garda vehicle, criminal damage of another Garda vehicle and throwing an object through the glass front window of a business, and violent disorder on November 23.

It has been alleged Mr Donaghey “set fire to a marked Garda patrol vehicle at Parnell Street at 6.45 pm”. It was claimed, “This was the first vehicle set alight, and it is the position of investigating gardai that this act also contributed to further acts of arson throughout the evening”.

He was further charged that he “committed riot with persons unknown” at O’Connell Bridge on November 23, contrary to section 14 of the Public Order Act.

The DPP directed he be tried in the Circuit Court, which has broader sentencing powers.

As a bail condition, Mr Donaghey had to surrender his passport to the gardai. In January, the proceedings heard that he was receiving social welfare but was looking for work.

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

Two other children and a crèche worker were also injured.

Riad Bouchaker, 50, who has no fixed abode, was charged on December 21 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 his Central Criminal Court trial.

Dozens of defendants have court cases pending in connection with the disturbances later that day in the city, including a man accused of torching a Luas tram.