A FATHER OF two awaiting trial for taking part in violence during an immigration protest in Dublin was allegedly in possession of a journalist’s stolen phone, a court has heard.

Landscape and construction worker Christopher Byrne, 27, of Marigold Crescent in Darndale, was initially charged with possessing a stolen black Apple iPhone 14 at the former Crown Paints factory on Malahide Road in Coolock on 6 April last.

There has been unrest in the area since the Government announced plans to use the disused factory to accommodate hundreds of international protection applicants.

Byrne appeared again at Dublin District Court today and was further charged with violent disorder with others on the same occasion.

Detective Garda Katie Lennon told Judge Cephas Power that the Director of Public Prosecutions directed trial on indictment, meaning the case would be dealt with in the Circuit Court, which has broader sentencing powers.

The court heard that during the violent disorder incident at the factory, the accused was allegedly in possession of an unnamed journalist’s mobile phone.

Objecting to bail, the detective alleged that the accused had broken bail conditions first imposed on 30 April to stay away from the factory and to sign on once a week at his local garda station.

She said he had failed to sign on four out of 11 weeks, and the court heard evidence that he had been sighted in the area, on one occasion disrupting traffic.

Defence solicitor John Feaheny submitted that his client claimed he had been going to a cinema.

Byrne opted to be held in custody on remand last month when he faced a possible breach of bail hearing. But after learning the DPP’s direction about his trial venue, he applied to be let out with conditions today.

Byrne told the court that he had not been let sign on twice at the garda station, so he stopped. He also said when he was once spotted in the area, he was outside the UCI cinema.

However, he disputed evidence about being in the vicinity on another date and claimed another garda who testified about that bail breach was lying.

Pleading for bail, he told the court he would not attend protests or return to the factory and said he had to support his family and two young children.

The court heard he had worked for a landscaping firm but lost his job due to the case.

A potential employer came to court to say he had known Byrne for years and could offer him construction and maintenance work.

The businessman said he would bring the accused to the Garda station to ensure he signed on and complied with the court’s order.

Judge Power stressed the accused’s presumption of innocence.

However, noting the previous breaches of the terms and the fact that Byrne did not have a substantial independent surety, he refused the application.

Byrne was remanded in custody to appear at Cloverhill District Court next week.

The DPP is to prepare a book of evidence that must be served on the accused before making a return-for-trial order.

Byrne, who has been granted legal aid, has yet to enter a plea.

The violent disorder offence carries a maximum of 10 years, and the charge of possessing stolen property can result in up to five years in jail.