Wednesday 28 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. 4368Harassment (harmful communication) · Co. Wicklow · 21 Jun 2024

Kirk Loco remanded on bail over social media post alleging migrant exposed himself to teen on bus

On 21 June 2024, Kirk Loco (44) of Waverly Meadow, Rathnew, Co Wicklow, is alleged to have published a social media post about a resident of an IPAS centre, known only as MM, claiming an intoxicated migrant had exposed himself to a 14-year-old girl on a bus. He was charged under the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020 with distributing or publishing a threatening or grossly offensive communication with intent to cause harm. He first appeared in court on 3 November 2025 and was granted free legal aid, and on 8 December 2025 at Bray District Court before Judge Áine Shannon he was remanded on continuing bail, with the court told that extensive disclosure would be provided to him. His next appearance is on 16 February 2026, when he must enter a plea.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court8 Dec
    2 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Kirk Loco, 44, of Waverly Meadow, Rathnew, Co Wicklow, is accused of distributing or publishing a threatening or grossly offensive communication about a resident of an IPAS centre, known only as MM, with intent to cause harm.
  • The post claimed an intoxicated migrant living in Trudder House, Newtownmountkennedy, had exposed himself to a 14-year-old girl on a 133 bus the previous evening.
  • The post included a photo of a male asleep on a bus and urged others to share details of the alleged incident.
  • The post said anyone who welcomed such men to Newtownmountkennedy, promoted integration or made donations was to blame, and accused them of cheering on pedophilia.
  • The post tagged several high-profile anti-immigrant activists.
Where
The post named Trudder House, Newtownmountkennedy, Co Wicklow, and the case is before Bray District Court.
When
The alleged offence was a social media post published on 21 June 2024.
Other details
  • Reports describe the post as a false claim, and the charge relates to the alleged post, not to any proven incident on a bus.
  • The 2020 Act is colloquially known as Coco's Law, named after Nicole 'Coco' Fox, who died by suicide in 2018 after severe online abuse.
Charges
Loco is charged under Section 4(1) and 4(3) of the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020.
In court
  • Loco made no reply to the charge after being cautioned at an earlier sitting in November 2025.
  • Judge Áine Shannon granted free legal aid to Loco, backdated to his first court appearance on 3 November 2025.
  • On 8 December 2025 at Bray District Court, Loco was remanded on continuing bail to appear again on 16 February 2026 to enter a plea.
  • Gardaí sought a bail condition that Loco keep away from IPAS centres and not attend any demonstrations or protests.
Investigation
The court was told there had been extensive disclosure, which would be provided to the accused within a week.
20 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatKirk Loco, 44, of Waverly Meadow, Rathnew, Co. Wicklow, was charged with distributing or publishing a threatening or grossly offensive communication about a resident of an IPAS centre with intent to cause harm. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe post claimed an intoxicated migrant living in Trudder House, Newtownmountkennedy, Co. Wicklow, had exposed himself to a 14-year-old girl on a 133 bus the previous evening. (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
  • whatThe post contained a photo of a male asleep on a bus and encouraged others to share the details of the alleged incident. (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
  • whatThe post stated that anyone who welcomed such men to Newtownmountkennedy or made donations or promoted togetherness and integration were to blame. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe post tagged a number of high-profile anti-immigrant activists. (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
  • whatKirk Loco, 44, of Waverly Meadow, Rathnew, Co. Wicklow, was accused of distributing or publishing a threatening or grossly offensive communication about a resident of an IPAS centre with intent to cause harm. (dublinlive.ie)
  • whatThe post stated that anyone who welcomed such men to Newtownmountkennedy or made donations or promoted integration were to blame and accused them of 'cheering on pedophilia'. (dublinlive.ie)
  • whenThe alleged offence was a social media post published on 21 June 2024. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe alleged social media post was published on 21 June 2024. (dublinlive.ie)
  • chargeHe is charged under Section 4(1) and 4(3) of the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020. (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
  • courtJudge Shannon granted free legal aid backdated to his first court appearance on 3 November 2025. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtHe was remanded on continuing bail to appear before the same court on 16 February 2026. (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
  • courtAt a previous sitting the prior month, Mr Loco made no reply to the charge after being cautioned. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtGardaí sought a bail condition that the accused keep away from IPAS centres and does not attend any demonstrations or protests. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtHe appeared at Bray District Court before Judge Áine Shannon on 8 December 2025. (dublinlive.ie)
  • courtFree legal aid was granted backdated to his first court appearance on 3 November. (dublinlive.ie)
  • courtGardaí sought a bail condition that he keep away from IPAS centres and not attend any demonstrations or protests. (dublinlive.ie)
  • courtAt a previous sitting last month, he made no reply to the charge after being cautioned. (dublinlive.ie)
  • otherHis weekly salary is €700. (dublinlive.ie)
  • otherThe legislation is known colloquially as Coco's Law, implemented after the 2018 death of Nicole 'Coco' Fox who died by suicide after enduring severe online abuse. (dublinlive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 9 Dec2025
    In courtdublinlive.ie, follow-up
    Man charged over post alleging migrant exposed himself to teen on bus

    Details of the 8 December 2025 court appearance including the content of the alleged post, bail conditions sought by Gardaí, free legal aid application, and the next court date of 16 February 2026.

    accused, Kirk Loco, 44, male, named, irish (judged from name)Kirk Locovictim, MM, male, non-irish (judged from name)MM
  2. 8 Dec2025
    In courtirishmirror.ie, first report
    Wicklow man charged over post alleging migrant exposed himself to teen on bus

    First court appearance; free legal aid granted; remanded on continuing bail to 16 February 2026 to enter a plea.

    accused, Kirk Loco, 44, male, namedKirk Locovictim, MMMM