Stephen McInerney admits assault causing harm in Saggart

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Stephen McInerney pleaded guilty to assault causing harm and the production of pepper spray at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The offences took place in Saggart on 14 July 2020. The proceedings were reported on 5 December 2022.

McInerney confronted a stranger after reading false social media claims that the man was a paedophile. He sprayed the man with pepper spray and later approached him again, repeating the accusation.

Judge Crowe described the victim as blameless and ordered McInerney to keep away from him. She adjourned the case to 27 March 2023 for finalisation and sought a probation report assessing his risk of reoffending.