A woman accused of setting fire to a Dublin Bus during the November 2023 riots, causing nearly half a million euros in damage, has been granted bail, reports Breaking News.
The unrest erupted after a knife attack in Dublin city centre left a five-year-old girl seriously injured, along with two other children and a woman.
Leanne Kelly, 34, originally from Wicklow but currently without a fixed address, is alleged to have set the bus ablaze on O’Connell Bridge, reports Breaking News.
She was charged last week and appeared for a second time before Judge Michele Finan at Dublin District Court on Wednesday as a part-heard bail hearing concluded.
The judge granted bail after a residential address was provided. Ms Kelly’s bail was set at €300, and she must also have an independent surety of €3,000 approved before she can be released, under strict bail conditions, reports Breaking News.
Detective Garda Barry Brennan told the court that when Ms Kelly was charged with causing criminal damage on November 23rd, 2023, she “made no reply”.
The Director of Public Prosecutions has directed that she face a “trial on indictment”, meaning the case will move to the Circuit Court, which handles more serious offences.
Detective Garda Brennan opposed bail due to the severity of the charge, reports Breaking News.
He told the court the incident happened during the “Dublin riots” and alleged that around 7.30pm, Ms Kelly picked up rubbish and approached a Garda car that had been set on fire.
Detective Brennan claimed she “extracted flames from the garda car onto the piece of rubbish and she ran to the Dublin Bus,” reports Breaking News.
The court heard the bus had already been left empty after being surrounded by rioters.
Ms Kelly allegedly boarded the bus and threw the flaming rubbish inside, “setting it alight”, reports Breaking News.
The detective said the bus was “completely destroyed”, with the damage estimated at €477,851.
He acknowledged, when questioned by defence solicitor Niall O’Connor, that Ms Kelly now appeared as a “different person” from how she looked on CCTV at the time, reports Breaking News.
Detective Brennan added that she had been “sleeping rough in the north inner city” during the time of the riots.
He also raised concerns that she may not attend future court dates if released, reports Breaking News.
Mr O’Connor told the court that Ms Kelly, who has not entered a plea, could stay with family and comply with strict bail conditions.
Judge Finan ordered that Ms Kelly reside at Kilbride Grove in Bray, Co Wicklow, observe an 11pm to 6am curfew, sign in daily at the local Garda station, and stay reachable by phone, reports Breaking News.
If convicted under Section 2 of the Criminal Damage Act, she could face up to 10 years in prison and a €10,000 fine.
Prosecutors must serve a book of evidence before the case progresses. Ms Kelly is due back in court on June 9th.
So far, 85 people have been arrested over the Dublin riots, with 66 facing charges, reports Breaking News.
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