Dublin Man Imprisoned for Arson and Disorder During Riots

Declan Donaghey, 28, of William Street in Dublin, has been sentenced to six and a half years in prison for setting an An Garda Síochána (Irish police) vehicle on fire during civil unrest in the city last year. He also attacked an accommodation center for International Protection applicants. Judge Orla Crowe stated that she did not accept Donaghey’s claim of acting in a moment of madness. Donaghey had previously confessed to gardaí that his actions made him “look like a scumbag”. During the riots on November 23, 2023, the court was informed that the 28-year-old Dubliner threw a wheelie bin at a garda car on Parnell Street. He then jumped onto the bonnet and smashed the windscreen of another garda vehicle, before setting a third one ablaze. He picked up a burning box and placed it into the back seat of the garda car, then closed the door. The vehicle was subsequently completely destroyed by fire. A short time later, Donaghey attacked a residential facility for International Protection applicants. At the time, fifty people were inside, described as being “under siege”. He subsequently pleaded guilty to charges of arson, criminal damage, and violent disorder. Donaghey also submitted a letter to the court, apologizing to “the Government, everyone” and asserting that his actions were completely “out of character”. He stated that he was only there to “support the victims” and “did it without thinking”, but acknowledged that it only made him “look like a scumbag”. Judge Crowe stated that Donaghey was “an active, spirited participant” in “one of the gravest public order incidents in the history of the state”. She characterized his actions as “shameless and senseless vandalism” and asserted that any attack on gardaí represented “an attack on all of society”. Donaghey received a sentence of seven and a half years in prison, with the final year suspended. Afterwards, his family and supporters were escorted from the court by gardaí, and Donaghey shouted “scumbags” at gardaí before his removal.