Courts / Dublin / Report

Grandmother lifted in hoist after prison riot

Date
2017-12-19

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

At Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Eric Harcourt pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Cloverhill Prison, Clondalkin, Dublin, on July 29, 2015. Judge Martin Nolan found Harcourt to be an active participant in the disorder and imposed a six-month sentence consecutive to his current jail term, which is due to expire in April 2019. Harcourt was on remand at the time for an offence of endangerment, for which he received a four-and-a-half-year jail term. Dean Byrne, of Belcamp Crescent Priorswood, received a six-month consecutive sentence for aiding and abetting violent disorder on the same date. The court heard that Harcourt climbed onto the prison roof using clothing tossed up by other inmates and remained there for hours with Byrne. Both refused attempts by a prison negotiator and their grandmothers to persuade them to descend. Harcourt was seen throwing debris onto prison officers below and smashing an aerial. He eventually descended at 1:30 am after the riot began around 11 am the previous day. The judge noted that Harcourt had 74 previous convictions and very low cognitive ability, and that he was a father of one. The matter was finalised with the imposition of the consecutive sentences.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Grandmother lifted in hoist after prison riot. Charges or matters: violent disorder at Cloverhill Prison, Clondalkin, Dublin on July 29, 2015. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

July 29, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
April 2019 Adjournment
2017-12-19 Publication

Case subjects

Belcamp Crescent Priorswood

Defendant

Outcome: Belcamp Crescent Priorswood, received a six month consecutive sentence for aiding and abetting violent disorder on the same date.

Dean Byrne

Defendant

Charges: violent disorder at Cloverhill Prison, Clondalkin, Dublin on July 29, 2015 (Alleged Or Contested)

Outcome: Byrne, of Belcamp Crescent Priorswood, received a six month consecutive sentence for aiding and abetting violent disorder on the same date.

Eric Harcourt

Defendant

Charges: violent disorder at Cloverhill Prison, Clondalkin, Dublin on July 29, 2015 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: He imposed a six month sentence consecutive to Harcourt's current jail term, which is due to expire in April 2019.