Ireland Dublin man pleads guilty to intimidating TD Michael Healy-Rae
On September 20, 2023, during a rally outside Leinster House as the Dáil resumed after the summer recess, Dean Hickson, a 22-year-old man from Finglas East, Dublin, allegedly threw a plastic bottle at and blocked Kerry TD Michael Healy-Rae as the TD attempted to leave the area. Gardaí identified Hickson from video footage and charged him in February, and the DPP directed summary disposal in the District Court. On 23 April 2024 at Dublin District Court, Hickson pleaded guilty through his lawyer, who said he wished to apologise to the TD, and he was remanded on continuing bail pending sentence while a victim impact statement is prepared.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court23 Apr
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Dean Hickson pleaded guilty to intimidating TD Michael Healy-Rae by throwing a bottle at and blocking him.
- Where
- The incident took place at a rally outside Leinster House.
- When
- The incident occurred on September 20, 2023.
- Cause
- The rally of about 200 people took place as the Dáil resumed following the summer recess, and it led to several arrests.
- Weapon
- CCTV footage captured the accused throwing a plastic bottle in the direction of Healy-Rae.
- Investigation
- The accused was identified from video footage during the investigation.
- Gardaí charged Hickson in February after an investigation.
- Charges
- Hickson was charged under the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, on the DPP's direction.
- In court
- The DPP directed summary disposal in the District Court, and the District Court judge accepted jurisdiction.
- On 23 April 2024 the accused appeared before Judge Paula Murphy at Dublin District Court and admitted the offence through his lawyer without addressing the court.
- His solicitor said he wished to apologise to the politician.
- Sentence
- Hickson was remanded on continuing bail pending sentence so a victim impact statement could be prepared.
- Other details
- Hickson has no prior criminal convictions.
13 statements extracted from the articles
- whatHickson pleaded guilty to intimidating TD Michael Healy-Rae by throwing a bottle at and blocking him. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatCCTV footage captured the accused throwing a plastic bottle in the direction of Healy-Rae. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe incident took place at a rally outside Leinster House. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe incident occurred on September 20, 2023. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe accused was identified from video footage during the investigation. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí charged Hickson in February after an investigation. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeHickson was charged under the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, on the DPP's direction. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe DPP directed summary disposal in the District Court. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe District Court judge accepted jurisdiction. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe accused admitted the offence through his lawyer and did not address the court. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtHis solicitor said he wished to apologise to the politician. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceHickson was remanded on continuing bail pending sentence so a victim impact statement could be prepared. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherHickson has no prior criminal convictions. (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 23 Apr2024Dublin man, 22, pleads guilty to throwing bottle at TD Michael Healy Rae
Reports the guilty plea, the accused's apology through counsel, the DPP's direction for summary disposal in the District Court, and that sentencing is pending pending a victim impact statement.
accused, Dean Hickson, 22, male, named, irish (judged from name)Dean Hicksonvictim, Michael Healy-Rae, 57, male, irish (judged from name)Michael Healy-Rae