Man charged with tram arson ahead of city riot
Accused, 61, before judge over unrest in capital last year
A MAN has appeared in court accused of setting fire to a Luas tram and other public order offences in a “series of criminal acts that quickly escalated into a mass riot”.
John Tate, 61, was before the district court yesterday charged with six offences from November 23 last year.
Detective Sergeant Eoghan Byrne said Tate was arrested on Monday and when charged the next day he made “no reply.
Det Byrne said gardai became aware of a protest in the capital near Parnell Square where an incident took place.
He said a number of people assembled nearby where “a series of criminal acts were committed that quickly escalated into a mass riot,” which he described as “unprecedented acts of public disorder”.
He said Tate is charged with obstruction to traffic on O’connell Street Upper where it is alleged he caused a Luas to stop and reverse. It is also alleged Tate, of The Iveagh Trust, Kevin Street, Dublin, committed arson by “setting alight a number of bags of rubbish and placed them on the Luas”.
Another arson offence relates to “adding further material” to the fire. Tate is alleged to have obstructed a bus on O’connell Street Upper which allegedly caused the driver to disembark. Tate is also charged with violent disorder at Parnell Square where it is alleged he was the first past a Garda cordon.
The accused is also charged with a second count of violent disorder on O’connell Street Upper where he allegedly opened the rear door of a Garda van after allegedly throwing missiles.
Det Sgt Byrne said gardai have gathered CCTV and it is alleged there are four hours of Tate “wearing very distinctive clothing and there is video footage of him allegedly committing offences”.
Tate was remanded in custody with consent to taking up bail, once €5,000 is lodged. Judge Stephanie Coggans adjourned the case until next Tuesday.