Bicycles and buggies thrown at garda vehicles in Limerick incident

PRAMS, buggies and bicycles were thrown as gardai arrested a teenager in a “highly-volatile situation” lasting up to 40 minutes, Limerick Circuit Court heard.

A 19-year-old, who was 16 at the time of the incident in Johnsgate village, Limerick city on May 26, 2020 pleaded guilty to violent disorder.

Prosecuting barrister John O’Sullivan, instructed by State Solicitor Padraig Mawe, outlined the case with the assistance of Garda Peter Connolly.

“On May 26, 2020, Garda John O’Sullivan went to Johnsgate village to arrest a man in an unrelated matter - nothing to do with the accused. He went into a house. A large amount of residents gathered and threatened violence. Garda O’Sullivan became uncomfortable and requested back-up. It was a highly-volatile situation. Gardai were prevented from entering the property,” said Mr O’Sullivan.

The barrister said numerous gardai surrounded the back and front of the property.

“They were met with considerable hostility with numerous people holding up mobile phones in the faces of gardai. They were subject to threats and insults. There were young children in a green area. It lasted 30 to 40 minutes.

“Gardai persevered, entered the property and found the man hiding in the base of a bed. Prams, buggies and bicycles were thrown at garda vehicles. Gardai identified five of the main aggressors,” said Mr O’Sullivan.

The then 16-year-old was arrested and admitted throwing a bicycle at a garda vehicle.

“He admitted his behaviour could make gardai fear for their safety. He put a mobile phone in the face of gardai and verbally abused them. The situation was highly-volatile and they had to tread carefully,” said Mr O’Sullivan, who added that the defendant has “quite a number of convictions for stealing bicycles, public order and attempted larceny”.

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Jack Nicholas, barrister for the accused, said his client wishes to apologise to all the gardai involved in this “very heated incident”.

Mr Nicholas asked Garda Connolly to pass on the apology to other members of the force present on the day.

The barrister said “a mob developed who behaved in an unruly and unsatisfactory manner”.

Mr Nicholas made reference to a probation report which stated his client was at a “high risk of reoffending”

Mr Nicholas said Johnsgate had become “somewhat of anti-social area” and the houses are boarded up. He said “everyboyd left” including his client and his family.

Judge Tom O’Donnell said it was the first time he had seen the Probation Service “declining their involvement due to a person’s attitude”.

Mr Nicholas said his client had difficulties in younger life but a person is “not just a product of a family but of a community and surrounds”.

“He became involved with a group which have now broken up. He is no longer in that area. The Probation Service may not be aware of that change. It is disappointing they reached that conclusion,” said Mr Nicholas, who added that his client has his whole future ahead of him and he hoped being before the court “serves as a shock”.

Judge O’Donnell said it is a “two-way street” with the Probation Service.

“He failed to engage. He must accept responsibility. He has other convictions - it doesn’t augur well. This is a serious matter - extremely, extremely volatile egged on by adults and young people.

“It made it much harder for gardai to do their lawful duty,” said Judge O’Donnell, who imposed a fully suspended 18 month sentence.

The judge said if the accused doesn’t co-operate with the Probation Service or behaves like this or other criminality “he is sending himself to jail”.