MAN CHARGED WITH ‘ROCKET’ ATTACK ON GARDAI
30-year-old accused of launching fireworks in lockdown protest
A MAN was charged yesterday over a firework attack on gardai at an anti-lockdown protest.
Jake Merriman, 30, who faced five charges at Dublin District Court, was given bail.
A riot in the capital on Saturday led to three gardai being injured.
A PROTESTER accused of attacking gardai with a firework during an anti-lockdown protest was granted bail yesterday.
Jake Merriman, 30, was charged and appeared at Dublin District Court where Judge Brian O’shea refused jurisdiction and held the case should go forward to a higher court.
Hundreds gathered on Grafton Street on Saturday to protest measures aimed at halting the spread of Covid-19.
Gardai prevented them gaining entry to St Stephen’s Green which had been closed by the Office of Public Works on Garda instructions.
A firework was allegedly discharged at the top of Grafton Street after which gardai baton charged protesters.
The riot led to three officers being injured, 23 arrests and 13 people charged that evening with public order offences.
Footage of the chaotic scenes went viral online.
Merriman, from Meadowlands Avenue, Monkstown, Dublin, was arrested on Tuesday. He was charged at 11.25pm at Irishtown Garda station with five offences and brought to court yesterday.
He is accused of production of weapons during an assault – an eight shot firework and two glass bottles – at Grafton Street. He also has two other charges for possessing other glass bottles which were capable of causing serious injury.
Det Sgt Patrick Traynor told Judge O’shea the accused made no reply when charged.
He said directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions had not been received. Det Sgt Traynor said an eight-shot firework was discharged and glass bottles were thrown.
He agreed with defence counsel Keith Spencer the five charges did not overlap and they relate to separate incidents.
Judge O’shea held the case was too serious to be dealt with at district court level.
He adjourned it until April 14 for the DPP to indicate consent to trial in the circuit court which has tougher sentencing powers, and for a book of evidence to be completed by the State.
Detective Sergeant Traynor objected to bail citing the seriousness of the case. He said CCTV evidence had been obtained and there were witnesses.
Merriman, dressed in dark blue jeans and a grey sweater, did not address the court. Merriman, who has not yet indicated how he will plead, was remanded on bail in his own bond of €200.
He must sign on twice a week at Shankill Garda station, stay away from Grafton Street and the entire Dublin 2 area, and reside at an address handed in to court. Counsel asked for it not to be read out adding there had been “a substantial amount of fanfare”.
Judge O’shea said he understood, in case there were repercussions.
Meanwhile, gardai were spat at and had urine thrown at them during the protests, it was claimed yesterday.
The Garda Representative Association have met with Commissioner Drew Harris in a bid to secure better resourcing for public order units and priority vaccination of gardai.
President Frank Thornton said: “Our No1 priority is member safety and we got a firm commitment from the Commissioner to look again at how public order events are policed, including the planning of operations.