Man accused of burning Luas and throwing missiles at gardaí during Dublin riots could face more charges

A MAN accused of burning out a Luas and tram and throwing missiles at gardaí during last November’s “mass riot” in central Dublin could face further charges, a court heard.

John Tate (61), who was arrested last week had his case further adjourned today for DPP directions.

Mr Tate, with an address at Iveagh Trust, Kevin Street, Dublin 8 is charged with two counts each of arson, violent disorder and obstructing traffic.

He was granted bail at €5,000 when he first appeared at Dublin District Court last week.

Today, Mr Tate had taken up that cash bail when he appeared before Judge Monika Leech.

Detective Sergeant Eoghan Byrne sought an adjournment for directions, including the “possibility of further charges”.

Defence solicitor Cian McCann said there was consent to this and the judge remanded the accused on continuing bail to appear in court again on May 7.

Mr Tate stepped forward in court when his case was called and was not required to speak during the brief hearing.

He has not yet entered pleas to any of the charges.

On his first day in court last week, Det Sgt Byrne said Mr Tate made no reply after caution at Store Street station.

The court heard it was alleged on November 23, protestors started to gather at the Garden of Remembrance following an incident in which people including children were injured outside a nearby primary school, Colaiste Mhuire.

A “series of criminal acts quickly escalated into a mass riot” and there were “unprecedented acts of public disorder,” including property being set alight and looting, Det Sgt Byrne said.

It was alleged Mr Tate obstructed traffic on O’Connell Street Upper, causing a Luas tram with passengers on board to come to a stop. It could not progress any further and the accused maintained his position, forcing it to reverse, he said.

The accused further obstructed traffic at the junction with Parnell Street, where a bus came to a halt and had to be abandoned, Det Sgt Byrne said.

In one violent disorder incident, it was alleged Mr Tate was the first person past the garda cordon at the junction of O’Connell Street and Parnell Square East and “encouraged, led and directed” other people to break the cordon.

He allegedly set fire to a Luas tram at O’Connell Street at 7.20pm by setting alight a number of bags of rubbish and placing them on the tram.

In the other arson charge, he was alleged to have entered the same tram a second time and added further material to the fire, damaging the Luas and surrounding infrastructure, Det Gda Byrne said.

The final violent disorder charge related to the accused allegedly engaging in aggressive behaviour in a crowd at O’Connell Bridge, throwing missiles at gardai and attempting to open the rear door of a garda van, causing members to leave the area.

Under “stringent” bail conditions, Mr Tate must sign on daily at a garda station, surrender his passport and keep a night time curfew, and not participate in any demonstrations or protests.

Dozens of other people have been before the courts on a range of charges arising from the riot including public order breaches, possession of weapons and theft. One man has been accused of setting fire to a garda car and stamping on the windscreen of another patrol car.

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