Gardai appeal for help identifying 99 'Persons of Interest' in relation to Dublin riots

Gardai have initiated an appeal for help identifying 99 people who they want to interview and either rule each individual ‘in or out’ of the investigative process of last year's Dublin riots.

The major public disorder incident occurred on 23rd November last over a number of hours, from approximately 4pm to 12mn, across a widespread area in Dublin North Inner and South Inner City.

According to Gardai, the public disorder incident separately and cumulatively involved alleged offences of riot, violent disorder, arson, criminal damage, assault, theft, public disorder, harassment and intimidation.

Over the duration of the widespread public disorder in the city centre

• 28 vehicles were subject of Arson or Criminal damage including

- 1 Luas destroyed by fire,

- 3 Dublin Buses destroyed by fire,

- 6 Dublin Buses subject to criminal damage

- 15 Official Garda vehicles subject to criminal damage

- 2 Dublin Fire Brigade vehicles subject to criminal damage

- 1 private car destroyed by fire

- 66 premises/places of business were subject to criminal damage

- Approximately 500 business premises in the North and South City centre were canvassed

- 13 members of An Garda Síochána were injured

Arrests/Prosecutions

- 57 persons have been arrested in connection with the Public disorder (to date)

- 53 persons have been charged with offences in connection with the Public disorder (to date)

- 1 person entered a guilty plea in the Circuit Court on 18.11.24 – remanded in custody to 20.11.24 at 2pm for sentence.

- 4 persons are before the Circuit Court awaiting arraignment

- 4 persons are before the District Court awaiting service of the Book of Evidence

- 9 persons are before the District Courts pending DPP directions regarding venue for trial

- 14 persons have been convicted in District Court of summary Public Order offences related to the riots. Sentences have ranged from

Imprisonment

- Imprisonment suspended

- Dismissed Probation Act

- Struck Out – Charitable Donation

- Struck Out, referred for Adult Caution

- 1 male has left the jurisdiction and an EAW will be sought

- 134 Charge Sheets to date have included

- 25 - Criminal Damage including Arson

- 22 – Burglary

- 1 – Assault causing harm

- 9 - Public Order - Riot

- 7 - Public Order - Violent Disorder

- 46 - Public Order

- 12 - Theft Offences

- 5 - Firearms and Offensive Weapons Offences

- 9 – Other – MDA, Traffic Money Laundering

Investigation:

An investigation team of over 50 Garda members, and eight contract staff, continue to investigate the public disorder on the 23rd November 2023.

The investigation team is also progressing all matters currently before the courts, books of evidence, disclosure and trial preparation.

Over 17,000 hours of CCTV footage has been lawfully retrieved by An Garda Síochána. CCTV continues be reviewed and analysed by Garda members and Contract Staff both in terms of progressing matters currently before the courts and ongoing progression of the investigation.

A Garda statement reads:

"This analysis has identified a further 99 ‘Persons of Interest’’. To progress the criminal investigative process An Garda Síochána needs to identify each of these ‘Persons of Interest’ and interview each to either rule each individual ‘in or out’ of the investigative process.

"An Garda Síochána is now requesting the assistance of the general public in identifying these 99 ‘Persons of Interest’ to either rule each individual ‘in or out’ of and progress the criminal investigative process.

"An Garda Síochána has this morning published CCTV images of these 99 ‘Persons of Interest’ on the Garda website www.garda.ie.

"Members of the public can provide information/nominate identification for any of the 99 ‘persons of interest’ through the Garda website. Members of the public can do so confidentiality if they so wish.

"An Garda Síochána would encourage any person who identifies themselves as a ‘person of interest’ from the published images to make immediate contact with the Garda investigation team at Store Street Garda Station.

"The investigation team at Store Street Garda Station can be contacted by telephone at 01-6668000 or by email at store.street.public@garda.ie.

"Any member of the public can also provide confidential information to the Garda Investigation team by contacting the Garda Confidential Phone number 1800 666 111."

The images are available on www.garda.ie.