17-year-old pleads guilty to violent disorder at Coolock migrant centre protest
A 17-year-old boy, who was 16 at the time and had no prior convictions, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and criminal damage to a Garda vehicle during a protest at the former Crown Paints site on Malahide Road in Coolock, Dublin, on 15 July 2024. The demonstration was part of a series of protests held over a number of weeks after the government announced plans to house international protection applicants at the site, a plan later abandoned. The boy was remanded on continuing bail to appear in December for a hearing of evidence and mitigation, with a probation report sought. The investigation has led to 46 arrests to date, with proceedings commenced for 35 individuals, and further arrests and charges continue.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Charged19 Sep
2 reports - In courtnot reported
- Convicted31 Oct
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- A 17-year-old boy pleaded guilty to violent disorder and criminal damage to a Garda vehicle during a protest at a proposed migrant centre.
- Where
- The protest took place at the former Crown Paints site on Malahide Road in Coolock, Dublin 17, with the specific incident alleged to have occurred at Oscar Traynor Road.
- When
- The protest occurred on 15 July 2024.
- Cause
- The demonstration was part of a series of protests held over a number of weeks after the government announced plans to repurpose the building to house international protection applicants, a plan later abandoned.
- Investigation
- A total of 46 individuals have been arrested as part of the continuing investigation, with proceedings commenced for 35.
- The prosecution relied on CCTV evidence.
- Charges
- The boy was charged with violent disorder and criminal damage to a Garda vehicle.
- In court
- The boy was remanded on continuing bail to appear in December for a hearing of evidence and mitigation plea.
- A man in his 30s, two men in their 20s and one male in his late teens were scheduled to appear before Dublin District Court on 19 September 2025.
- Other details
- The boy was aged 16 at the time of the incident, had no prior convictions, and was an early school leaver taking part in a training course and involved in sport.
- The Department of Justice confirmed in May 2025 it is no longer considering the site for a potential IPAS accommodation centre.
- Legal aid was granted to the boy and a probation report was sought.
24 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe incident is described as a serious public order incident on Malahide Road, Coolock, Dublin 17. (dublinlive.ie)
- whatThe boy pleaded guilty to violent disorder and damaging a Garda vehicle. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe protest took place at the former Crown Paints site on the Malahide Road in Coolock. (dublinlive.ie)
- whereThe incident took place at Oscar Traynor Road in Coolock. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe protest took place on 15 July 2024 at the former Crown Paints site on Malahide Road in Coolock. (dublinlive.ie)
- whenThe protest occurred on 15 July 2024. (dublinlive.ie)
- whenThe man was arrested on Tuesday, 23 September 2025. (dublinlive.ie)
- whenThe incident occurred on 15 July 2024. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationA total of 45 individuals have been arrested as part of the continuing investigation. (dublinlive.ie)
- investigationThe arrest brings the total number of persons where proceedings have commenced to 35. (dublinlive.ie)
- investigationA total of 46 individuals have been arrested as part of the continuing investigation. (dublinlive.ie)
- investigationInvestigations are ongoing and further updates will follow. (dublinlive.ie)
- investigationThe prosecution relied on CCTV evidence. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeThe man has been charged and released on bail to appear before the courts at a later date. (dublinlive.ie)
- courtA man in his 30s, two men in their 20s and one male in his late teens are scheduled to appear before Dublin District Court, Court 4, at the Criminal Courts of Justice on 19 September 2025. (dublinlive.ie)
- courtJudge Paul Kelly remanded the boy on continuing bail to appear in December for a hearing of evidence and mitigation plea. (irishtimes.com)
- courtA probation report was sought. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe Department of Justice confirmed in May it is no longer considering the site for a potential IPAS accommodation centre. (dublinlive.ie)
- otherThe demonstration was part of a series of protests held at the site over a number of weeks. (dublinlive.ie)
- otherThe government had announced plans to repurpose the building to house international protection applicants, a plan later abandoned. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe boy was aged 16 at the time of the incidents. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe boy had no prior convictions. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe boy was an early school leaver looking for work, taking part in a training course, and involved in sport. (irishtimes.com)
- otherLegal aid was granted to the boy. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 31 Oct2025Boy (17) pleads guilty to violent disorder during Coolock migrant centre protest
First report of the plea; boy remanded on continuing bail pending December hearing for evidence and mitigation.
suspect, 17, male - 24 Sep202547th arrest in relation to 2024 protest at former Crown Paints site in Coolock
New arrest and charge in the ongoing Coolock protest investigation; total arrests now 46, proceedings commenced for 35.
suspect, 20s, male - 19 Sep2025Further arrests over 2024 protest at former asylum seeker site in north Dublin
Reports five new arrests and charges in the ongoing investigation into the 15 July 2024 Coolock protest, bringing total arrests to 45; the Department of Justice confirmed in May it is no longer considering the site for an IPAS accommodation centre.
suspect, 30s, malesuspect, 20s, malesuspect, 20s, malesuspect, late teens, malesuspect, youth, male