Alleged Dublin rioter to stand trial over arson attack on garda car

Declan Donaghey (27) was one of dozens of people arrested and charged following what gardaí described as some of the most serious scenes of public disorder in the history of the state.

He allegedly burned the first vehicle on a night of violence that saw further acts of arson, looting and damage to businesses in the city centre.

A book of evidence was served on him at Dublin District Court today. District Court President, Judge Paul Kelly sent him forward for trial to Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Mr Donaghey of William’s Place, Dorset Street, Dublin is charged with committing a riot at O’Connell Street last November 23.

He is also charged with violent disorder, arson to a garda Hyundai Kona, criminal damage to a second garda car -a Hyundai i40 – and to the Dublin City Dorms premises, all on Parnell Street.

Today, state solicitor Brian Coveney told Judge Kelly the DPP consented to Mr Donaghey being sent for trial to the current sittings of the circuit court.

The judge notified Mr Donaghey that he has 14 days to submit any alibi details to the prosecution.

The accused nodded to acknowledge that he understood the alibi warning.

The judge also ordered prosecutors to provide the accused’s garda interview video to the defence.

He granted free legal aid following an application by the accused’s solicitor Holly Laher. This will also cover both junior and senior counsel in the circuit court, after Ms Laher requested this, saying it was “quite a serious case.”

Judge Kelly relaxed one of the accused’s bail conditions, allowing him to sign on at a garda station three times per week instead of every day.

Mr Donaghey was remanded on bail to appear in the circuit court on July 4.

Previously, a bail hearing was told gardaí were protecting a crime scene when they became aware of a protest at the Garden of Remembrance, following an earlier incident where a number of people including children were injured.

What followed was “one of the most serious and largest scenes of public disorder that has ever occurred in the history of the state”, Detective Garda Michelle Fitzpatrick said.

A number of vehicles were set alight and there was criminal damage and looting of businesses.

It was alleged Mr Donaghey set fire to a marked garda patrol vehicle on Parnell Street at 6.45pm, which was the first vehicle to be set alight in the course of the riot.

The garda said this contributed to further acts of arson throughout the evening.

It was alleged the accused damaged a second garda car by climbing on the bonnet and repeatedly stamping on the windscreen, causing it to smash. He also allegedly threw an object through the front window of a business.