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E-scooter rider convicted after shouting 'f* you, you red pr**k' at garda

Summary

A 23‑year‑old e‑scooter rider, Jason Thornton, was convicted of a public order offence after shouting abuse at Garda Jack Hamilton during a criminal damage investigation on 15 June 2024 in south Dublin. Thornton, who was on an e‑scooter on a nearby walkway, raised his middle finger and shouted "F*** you, you red prick" while Hamilton was speaking to the injured party. Hamilton tried to issue a warning but Thornton accelerated away, and a crowd gathered. The court found that the incident, occurring while Gardaí were already dealing with a criminal damage case, met the threshold for a public order offence. Thornton pleaded not guilty, but Judge Anne Watkin convicted him. He has 38 prior convictions, including assault, criminal damage, misuse of drugs, burglary, robbery, theft and threats to kill, and his most recent conviction was under the Misuse of Drugs Act on 16 May 2025.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: E-scooter rider convicted after shouting 'f* you, you red pr**k' at garda. Charges or matters: a charge under section 6 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act. Procedural stage: charge_or_pretrial

When:

• 15 June Incident
• 16 May 2025 Adjournment
• 3 November Adjournment
• 2025-09-25 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Burglary Drugs Public Order Stage Charge Or Pretrial Theft Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report