logo
Woman, 34, facing trial for ‘solely' setting fire to bus causing €477k damage during Dublin riots weeps in court

Woman, 34, facing trial for ‘solely' setting fire to bus causing €477k damage during Dublin riots weeps in court

The Irish Sun07-07-2025
A WOMAN accused of "solely" setting fire to a Dublin Bus, which was "completely destroyed" during the November 2023 riots, has been sent forward for trial.
Violence broke out after a girl, aged five, was severely wounded, and two other
Advertisement
Leanne Kelly, 34, who is from
She was charged last week and faced her latest appearance before Judge Michele Finan at Dublin District Court on Monday when
The Director of Public Prosecutions has directed that she face "trial on indictment" at a higher level with greater sentencing powers.
Judge Finan acceded to a request from prosecutor Sharon Rossiter to grant a return for trial, sending her case forward to the Dublin Circuit Criminal
Advertisement
Read more in News
When Ms Kelly was first charged in April, the judge set her bail at €300 and required a €3,000 independent surety, which had to be approved before Ms Kelly could be released under strict terms.
However, she had been unable to take it up and remained in custody since then.
Her solicitor, Niall O'Connor, asked the court to consider reducing the bail, adding that her client would be able to live with relatives in Co Wicklow and was a different person now.
However, Detective Garda Barry Brennan objected.
Advertisement
Most read in Irish News
Exclusive
He agreed with Mr O'Connor that the bus had already been damaged before Ms Kelly allegedly got involved. However, he maintained that she "solely caused it to be set alight".
He alleged the incident occurred during the "Dublin riots" and he claimed that at about 7.30 pm, Ms Kelly picked up a piece of rubbish and ran to a garda car that had been set on fire.
Detective Garda Brennan said she "extracted flames from the garda car onto the piece of rubbish and she ran to the Dublin Bus".
The court heard it had already been abandoned after being surrounded by rioters.
Advertisement
It was claimed that Ms Kelly ran onto the bus and threw the burning rubbish on the ground.
TRIAL PLEA
The accused wept as she pleaded to be freed pending the trial telling the court: "I have no intention of f****** this up".
She spoke out saying she had suffered trauma at a young age, was living in a tent at the time of the riots, and there had been a family bereavement while she was in custody.
Judge Finan decided to reduce the surety to €1,000 and emphasised that if taken up, she must obey conditions set earlier: reside at Kilbride Grove, Bray, Co Wicklow, obey an 11pm to 6am curfew, sign on daily at the local Garda station, and remain contactable by phone.
Advertisement
The charge under Section 2 of the Criminal Damage Act carries a possible 10-year sentence and a €10,000 fine.
Ms Kelly was granted legal aid and told she must notify prosecutors if she intends to use an alibi in her defence. gardaí were also directed to hand over interview videos to the defence.
To date, 85 people have been arrested in connection with the Dublin riots, with 66 charged.
Meanwhile, a man awaits trial accused of attempted murder of three children earlier that day at Parnell Square in the city centre.
Advertisement
1
A woman accused of 'solely' setting fire to a Dublin Bus has been sent forward for trial
Credit: PA
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Former prominent sports figure charged over 79 alleged sexual offences against minors
Former prominent sports figure charged over 79 alleged sexual offences against minors

Sunday World

time8 hours ago

  • Sunday World

Former prominent sports figure charged over 79 alleged sexual offences against minors

The 77-year-old appeared before Dublin District Court this morning A former prominent sports industry figure has appeared in court charged with over 70 sexual offences against minors in south Dublin spanning over a decade. The 77-year-old appeared before Dublin District Court this morning after being extradited from the United States overnight. He was remanded in custody with a judge told he 'urgently' needs dentures as he cannot eat without them. Wearing a green jumper and shorts, the accused was in a wheelchair and was pushed into court by a prison officer. The defendant cannot be identified as he has a legal right to anonymity once he is charged and appears before a court. Garda Sergeant Amy Kelly said she arrested the accused at 5.56am at Dublin Airport Terminal 2 following his extradition from the United States and conveyed him to Ballymun Garda station. She said the accused was charged with 79 offences and made some replies when cautioned, but these were not read out in court. The accused faces 78 charges of indecent assault, and one count of attempted rape, relating to alleged offences committed in Dublin between 1971 and 1981. The complainants in the case were all juveniles at the time of the alleged incidents. Sergeant Kelly applied for a remand in custody until next week, with the court told that there was no application for bail at this time. The Criminal Courts of Justice. News in 90 Seconds - July 22nd Judge Michelle Finan was also informed that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has directed that the accused should face trial on indictment before the Central Criminal Court. Legal aid was also granted to the accused after the court was told he is not working and has no assets. The defence also applied for medical assistance to be given to the defendant in custody, saying he has no dentures or hearing aid after being returned from the United States. The defence said the accused 'can't eat' as he has no dentures, and requested that he 'urgently' needs these to eat. The former sports figure will appear before Cloverhill district court next Tuesday, July 29, at 10.30 am. The defendant was charged following a lengthy investigation by the Garda National Protective Services Bureau. In a statement gardai said: 'Following an extradition from the United States of America at the request of the Irish authorities, a male (70s) was arrested by Gardaí attached to the Garda National Protective Services Bureau this morning, Tuesday 22nd July 2025 and is being brought before a sitting at the Criminal Courts of Justice at approximately 10:30am,' a garda spokesperson confirmed.'

Gardai hunt three youths in Donegal after car strikes stuffed bags dressed to look like person in terrifying hoax
Gardai hunt three youths in Donegal after car strikes stuffed bags dressed to look like person in terrifying hoax

The Irish Sun

time9 hours ago

  • The Irish Sun

Gardai hunt three youths in Donegal after car strikes stuffed bags dressed to look like person in terrifying hoax

GARDAI in Donegal are seeking three young men who stuffed plastic bags with ketchup to look like a body, which was then struck by a passing car. The incident, which happened in the village of The shocking incident occurred shortly after midnight on Sunday on the R245 at The Pans, Cranford at around 12:30am. The motorist jumped out of their car and made a shocking discovery. After getting out of the car the driver found bags stuffed with ketchup dressed in dark clothing. The driver and passenger of the vehicle were left shaken following the bizarre incident. READ MORE IN NEWS Damage was also caused to the car as a result of the collision. A 'This car is believed to have been in the area around the time of the collision and then immediately left in the direction of Carrigart'. Anyone who may have travelled along that route with a dash-cam between midnight and 1am on that date is urged to make the footage available to Gardai. Most read in Irish News 'If anyone travelled within the Carrigart area between 12.30am and 1.30am with a dash-cam, we ask them to get in touch with us also,' Garda Doherty added. 'We are very anxious to progress this investigation and we appeal to the males in question to make contact with Gardai in Milford on 074 9153060. Gardai and RSA measures aimed at driving crash deaths on Irish roads "As already stated, we are following a definite line of enquiry and all available CCTV is being sought and examined. "Those involved in this very serious matter are advised to make contact with investigating Gardai." 1 The shock incident occurred over the weekend Credit: Alamy

Man, 77, appears in court charged with 79 sex crimes on minors after Dublin Airport arrest following US extradition
Man, 77, appears in court charged with 79 sex crimes on minors after Dublin Airport arrest following US extradition

The Irish Sun

time9 hours ago

  • The Irish Sun

Man, 77, appears in court charged with 79 sex crimes on minors after Dublin Airport arrest following US extradition

A MAN has appeared in court charged with 79 sex crime charges after his extradition from the US. The 77-year-old was before at Advertisement The accused faces 78 charges of indecent assault and one count of attempted rape. It is alleged that the Sergeant Amy Kelly gave details of arrest, charge and caution. She told Judge Michelle Finan that the man was arrested at Advertisement READ MORE IN NEWS He was brought to Ballymun garda station where he was charged with the 79 counts after 7am. The Sergeant Kelly said the man was handed a true copy of the charge sheets. There was no application for bail however there was for legal aid. Advertisement Most read in Irish News Exclusive His defence counsel said he has no assets and was not working before the judge granted it with no objections from gardai. A further application was made for medical assistance for the man as he had no dentures or no hearing aids which he needed "urgently." Gardai and RSA measures aimed at driving crash deaths on Irish roads The judge said she would note that for the Governor of the The accused was remanded in custody until next Tuesday at Cloverhill District Court, where he must be produced. Advertisement The court also heard the Director of Public Prosecutions have directed a trial on indictment at the Central Criminal Court. The man was arrested and extradited from the He was flown on board a commercial flight from Washington overnight to Dublin Airport. Dressed in a green top, grey shorts, the man did not address the court as he was surrounded by three prison guards but spoke to his legal representative. Advertisement 1 The man was before the court this morning Credit: Alamy

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store