Courts / Dublin / Report

Delivery riders protecting themselves and had 'hands up', witness tells murder trial

Date
2022-05-12

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

During the night of 26 January 2021, two Brazilian food‑delivery cyclists, including George Gonzaga Bento, were present at East Wall Road when a confrontation erupted involving a moped rider and a group of teenagers. Witness Tiago da Silva, a Deliveroo cyclist, testified that the two Brazilians were protecting themselves, standing against a wall with their hands up in defence, and that they were surrounded by about ten youths. He described seeing a Deliveroo rider lying on the floor being kicked by several people. The incident escalated with punches thrown and a man on a moped shouting at the cyclists. The trial heard that Bento was charged with murdering 16‑year‑old Josh Dunne, producing a knife during the confrontation, and assaulting two other young men. Bento pleaded not guilty to all four counts. The case is being heard before Mr Justice Paul Burns and a jury.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Delivery riders protecting themselves and had 'hands up', witness tells murder trial. Charges or matters: murdering 16-year-old Josh at East Wall Road, East Wall on January 26, 2021; each of the four counts. Procedural stage: trial

When:

January 26, 2021 Other
January 26 Other
January 27 Other
2022-05-12 Publication

Why: Earlier, Brazilian Lana Gerino said she lived with Mr Bento and his girlfriend but did not spend much time with the accused because he worked a lot. CNI source report