Courts / Dublin / Report

Criminal who rioted during Queen's visit avoids jail

Date
2014-10-20

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

Mark Griffin, 26, of North Strand Road, was part of a violent protest during Queen Elizabeth's visit to the Garden of Remembrance in Parnell Square. He threw rocks, glass bottles, a bike and pushed a burning bin at riot police and a riot van. Griffin pleaded guilty to violent disorder on Dorset Street Upper on 17 May 2011 and had 71 prior convictions. Judge Mary Ellen Ring suspended a two‑and‑a‑half‑year prison sentence on the condition that he keeps the peace for that period. The court noted that a crowd of up to 150 people had gathered at the Spire on O'Connell Street, moved to Moore Street and then to Parnell Square, where they threw missiles at gardaí. Three riot vans were called in to control the crowd. Griffin admitted taking part in the riot "because everyone else was" and claimed he had also thrown a bike at a van.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Criminal who rioted during Queen's visit avoids jail. Charges or matters: violent disorder on Dorset Street Upper on May 17, 2011; three charges of possession of drugs for sale or supply at his home on October 18, 2011 and conveying heroin into Wheatfield Prison on February 17, 2011. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

May 17, 2011 Hearing Or Sentence
October 18, 2011 Incident
February 17, 2011 Incident
February 2011 Incident
2014-10-20 Publication

Why: He was arrested and admitted taking part in the riot "because everyone else was". CNI source report

Case subjects

Mark Griffin

Defendant

Charges: violent disorder on Dorset Street Upper on May 17, 2011; three charges of possession of drugs for sale or supply at his home on October 18, 2011 and conveying heroin into Wheatfield Prison on February 17, 2011 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Judge Mary Ellen Ring suspended a sentence of two and a half years on condition that Griffin keeps the peace for that period.