Friday 30 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 16510Arson (suspected); public order offences · Co. Dublin

High Court hears of suspected drone use in Coolock fires

An injunction against persons unknown over threatening or intimidating behaviour at the former Crown Paints factory in Coolock, Dublin, was granted the week before 24 July 2024. More than 20 people were later charged at Dublin District Court with public order offences linked to incidents at the site, and they were granted bail on condition they stay away from the factory. On 24 July 2024 the High Court heard that five fires had occurred at the scene in six days and that drones may have been used to deliver unlit petrol bombs, and the judge again refused the companies' request for a 100m exclusion zone. The case is due back in court the following week.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court24 Jul
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
The High Court heard on 24 July 2024 that there had been five fires at the former Crown Paints factory in Coolock in the six days since the injunction order was made.
Where
The former Crown Paints factory in Coolock, Dublin, is the site at the centre of the case.
When
The injunction against persons unknown was granted the week before the High Court hearing on 24 July 2024.
Cause
Lawyers said drones may have been used to deliver petrol bombs to locations close to the site, and it seemed they were dropped where unknown individuals could collect them.
Weapon
The incendiary devices were unlit petrol bombs.
Investigation
The suspected drone delivery of petrol bombs is part of the High Court proceedings over the site.
Charges
More than 20 people were charged at Dublin District Court with public order offences relating to recent incidents at the site.
In court
  • The High Court allowed the injunctions to be served on persons unknown and on four individual defendants.
  • Those charged at Dublin District Court were granted bail on condition that they stay away from the factory.
  • The judge again refused the companies' request for the injunction to apply to a 100m exclusion zone around the factory.
  • The case is due back in court the following week.
Other details
  • The developer Remcoll and leaseholder Townbe brought the injunction proceedings, represented by Senior Counsel Bernard Dunleavy.
  • Three suspects named in the case are Sean Rush, Kevin Coyle and Leon Bradley.
  • The Chief Executive Officer of Remcoll left Ireland on the advice of gardaí.
  • The site was planned to house up to 500 international protection applicants.
12 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThere had been five fires at the scene in the six days since the order was made. (rte.ie)
  • whereThe petrol bombs were suspected to have been delivered to locations close to the former Crown Paints factory in Coolock, Dublin. (rte.ie)
  • weaponThe incendiary devices were unlit petrol bombs. (rte.ie)
  • investigationLawyers said the incendiary devices seemed to be dropped where unknown individuals could collect them. (rte.ie)
  • chargeMore than 20 people had been before Dublin District Court charged with public order offences relating to recent incidents at the site. (rte.ie)
  • courtAn earlier court order was made against persons unknown threatening or intimidating behaviour at the factory. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe judge allowed the injunctions to be served on persons unknown and four individual defendants. (rte.ie)
  • courtThose charged were granted bail on condition they stay away from the factory. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe judge again refused the companies’ request for the injunction to apply to a 100m exclusion zone around the factory. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe case is due back in court the following week. (rte.ie)
  • otherThe Chief Executive Officer of Remcoll had left Ireland on the advice of gardaí. (rte.ie)
  • otherThe site is planned to house up to 500 international protection applicants. (rte.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 24 Jul2024
    In courtrte.ie, first report
    Court hears of suspected drone use in Coolock fires

    Covers High Court injunction proceedings over the Coolock factory site, including the suspected drone delivery of petrol bombs, five fires, the defendants named in the case, and more than 20 people charged with public order offences.

    suspect, Sean Rush, named, irish (judged from name)Sean Rushsuspect, Kevin Coyle, named, irish (judged from name)Kevin Coylesuspect, Leon Bradley, named, irish (judged from name)Leon Bradley