'Abandoned' teen joined in 'mob mentality' of 2023 Dublin city riots, court hears

Tom Tuite

An “abandoned” 15-year-old boy joined in the "mob mentality" of rioting and looting on Dublin’s O’Connell Street two years ago, a court has heard.

The youth, now 17, who cannot be identified because he is a juvenile, appeared at the Dublin Children’s Court.

He faced a hearing regarding his trial venue, where video evidence showed a 3 by 3 foot glass pane being thrown at gardaí during a mass invasion of three sportswear shops.

He is charged with engaging in a riot under section 14 of the Public Order Act, punishable by a 10-year sentence.

He faces four counts of burglary pursuant to section 12 of the Theft and Fraud Act. They involved allegations of trespassing and theft at the Footlocker, Asics, Lifestyle Sports, and Guud cafe on O’Connell Street on November 23rd, 2023.

There had been large-scale disorder on that date in response to a knife attack on young children.

Judge Kelly noted that the Director of Public Prosecutions recommended that the boy’s case be sent forward to the Circuit Court, which can, on conviction, impose greater sentences.

However, because he is a minor, the defence could plead, under section 75 of the Children Act, that the boy was suitable to be tried in the juvenile court.

That legislation allows the judge to consider accepting jurisdiction by taking into account a juvenile defendant’s age, level of maturity, or other factors deemed relevant to the proceedings.

No plea was indicated.

Garda Brian Kenny told Judge Paul Kelly that there was video evidence that tracked the teenager on the evening of the incidents.

He said the footage showed the teenager throwing 11 objects, including a plank of wood, at public order gardaí over 23 minutes before his involvement in rioting turned to burglary.

He said gardaí were injured, and though it was not claimed that the teenager caused that, it was alleged he had taken part in mob mentality.

Some of the evidence showed hooded males throwing a concrete slab and a wooden plank at officers.

Footage from inside storerooms in the sportswear shops showed males, the boy allegedly among them, entering and leaving with stock.

Defence solicitor Aonghus McCarthy pleaded with the judge to accept jurisdiction, telling the court that his client had no prior convictions and got caught up and joined in; “it was sheep mentality completely”.

Others at the scene were much older, he submitted, and like his troubled client, many involved were abandoned or misguided or neglected.

The solicitor said the boy, who was not cared for at home, was neglected and abandoned. On the night, he was misguided and joined in the incidents.

Judge Kelly held that the case was too serious and should be sent to the Circuit Court, which can impose harsher sentences.

He will appear again in December to be served with a book of evidence and returned for trial.

Bail terms state he must remain contactable by phone, stay out of parts of the city-centre, obey a 9pm to 6am curfew, and notify of any address change.

He was also ordered not to attend protests after the defence agreed to forgo a possible constitutional objection to that condition.