A Dublin man who was arrested after gardai heard he was bragging to his friends about his involvement in the “Love Ulster” riots has received a suspended sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Daniel Byrne, (24) of Ballyfermot Avenue, Ballyfermot, pleaded guilty to violent disorder during the riots in Dublin city centre on February 25, 2006.
Judge Katherine Delahunt sentenced him to one year in prison but suspended it for two years. She also ordered him to seek treatment for his alcohol addiction.
Detective Garda Paul Carney told prosecuting counsel, Mr Garnet Orange BL, that a colleague received a tip-off that Byrne was boasting in the community about his role in the riot. On foot of this, he called to Byrne's house and asked him to make a voluntary statement.
Byrne came to the garda station and admitted throwing "a lot" of stones at gardai to "hurt and injure them." When asked why, he replied: "It was for all the years of police brutality youse did to me."
He said he didn't know anything was planned that day and got caught up in the riot when he went into the city centre to go to a travel agent. He said he also threw a two foot pipe at the barricades on O'Connell Street.
Det Gda Carney said Byrne made "full and frank admissions" and was the only person charged in connection with the riots that volunteered themselves to gardai.
Defence counsel, Ms Sandra Frayne BL, said Byrne was "extremely remorseful". She said he was now working as a builder and living at home with his parents.