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Dublin rioter who set garda car alight said he 'felt bad' over school stabbings

Summary

A 28‑year‑old man, Declan Donaghey, pleaded guilty to arson, violent disorder, criminal damage and rioting after setting a Garda car on fire and damaging a migrant centre during the Dublin riots. He said he was "caught up in it" because a close relative attended a school on Cavendish Row where earlier that day children and a care assistant were stabbed. Donaghey denied being a racist and claimed he felt bad for the child and teacher. He apologized to the government and everyone involved in a handwritten letter read to the court. Judge Orla Crowe remanded him in custody pending sentencing. The court heard that the riot was one of the gravest examples of public disorder in the State's history, with 60 locations damaged or looted, including an abandoned bus and Luas vehicles. Donaghey had five previous convictions, including two for public order offences, and was on medication for anxiety and depression.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Dublin rioter who set garda car alight said he 'felt bad' over school stabbings. Charges or matters: arson, violent disorder, criminal damage and rioting on November 23, 2023. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• November 23, 2023 Incident
• 2024-11-18 Publication

Why: Photo: Collins) A 28-year-old man who set a garda car alight and damaged a migrant centre during the Dublin riots said he "got caught up in it" because "a close relative" was in the school where a number of children and a care assistant were attacked by a knife-wielding man earlier that day. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Public Order Stage Sentence Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report