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. 6547Arson · Co. Dublin · 23 Nov 2023

Man charged over Luas arson during Dublin riot

John Tate, a 61-year-old man with an address at Iveagh Trust, Kevin Street, Dublin 8, has been charged with arson of a Luas tram on O'Connell Street during public disorder in Dublin city centre on 23 November 2023. He was charged at Store Street Garda station with six offences, including two of arson, and appeared at a late sitting of Dublin District Court on 6 February 2024, where he was granted bail on strict conditions. At his second appearance on 13 February 2024, Detective Sergeant Eoghan Byrne sought a 12-week adjournment to obtain DPP directions and said further charges were possible. Judge Monika Leech remanded him on continuing bail to appear again on 7 May, and he has yet to indicate a plea.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court6 Feb
    3 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • A 61-year-old man, John Tate, has been charged with arson of a Luas tram during riots in Dublin city centre in November 2023.
  • It is alleged he set fire to a Luas by placing bags of rubbish on the tram and setting them alight.
  • He faces two counts of arson, two of violent disorder and two of obstructing traffic.
Where
The arson is alleged to have happened on O'Connell Street, and the obstructing traffic incidents are placed at Parnell Street and O'Connell Street.
When
The offences are alleged to have occurred on 23 November 2023, over several hours.
Cause
Detective Sergeant Eoghan Byrne told the court the events were a series of criminal acts that quickly escalated into a mass riot, and one report links them to a knife attack in the capital.
Investigation
Gardaí searched his home and seized clothing and a mobile phone, and Store Street detectives gathered a large amount of CCTV.
Charges
He was charged with six offences at Store Street Garda station the week before his first court appearance.
In court
  • He appeared at a late sitting of Dublin District Court on 6 February 2024, where Judge Stephanie Coggans granted him bail on strict conditions, though one report says he was remanded in custody with consent to bail.
  • At his second appearance on 13 February 2024, Detective Sergeant Eoghan Byrne sought a 12-week adjournment to obtain directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions.
  • He has yet to indicate a plea.
  • Judge Monika Leech remanded him on continuing bail to appear again on 7 May 2024.
Other details
  • He took up €5,000 bail, and the conditions include a 9 pm to 6 am curfew.
  • Gardaí said there was a possibility of further charges.
35 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA 61-year-old man has appeared in court charged with arson of a Luas tram during the November 2023 riots in Dublin city centre. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatIt is alleged he set fire to a Luas by placing bags of rubbish on the tram and setting them on fire. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatJohn Tate faces two counts of arson, two violent disorder incidents and two incidents of obstructing traffic. (dublinlive.ie, irishmirror.ie)
  • whatTate is accused of arson of a Luas tram on O'Connell Street by setting fire to rubbish bags. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe alleged events took place while a public disorder was occurring in Dublin city centre. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereTate is accused of arson of a Luas tram on O'Connell Street. (dublinlive.ie)
  • whenThe offences are alleged to have occurred on November 23rd, 2023. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe alleged offences occurred on November 23 after a knife attack in the capital. (dublinlive.ie)
  • whenThe alleged offences happened on November 23. (irishmirror.ie)
  • causeThe incident was described in court as a mass riot in Dublin. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationGardaí searched his home and seized clothing and a mobile phone. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationStore Street detectives gathered a large amount of CCTV and allegedly traced Tate's movements for four hours. (dublinlive.ie)
  • investigationGardaí searched Tate's home, recovered clothes and seized his mobile phone. (dublinlive.ie)
  • investigationStore Street detectives harvested a large amount of CCTV. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationGardaí searched Tate's home, recovered some clothes and seized his mobile phone. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeHe was charged with six offences at Store Street Garda station: two of violent disorder, two of obstructing traffic and two of arson. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeTate was charged the week before this hearing. (dublinlive.ie)
  • chargeTate was charged the week before the court appearance. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtHe appeared at a late sitting of Dublin District Court on the Tuesday evening. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtJudge Stephanie Coggans granted him bail on strict conditions. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtHe was remanded in custody with consent to bail. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe case was adjourned to a District Court sitting at the Criminal Courts of Justice on February 13th. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtTate appeared at Dublin District Court for his second appearance. (dublinlive.ie)
  • courtDetective Sergeant Eoghan Byrne sought a 12-week adjournment to obtain DPP directions. (dublinlive.ie)
  • courtThe detective sergeant said there was a possibility of further charges. (dublinlive.ie)
  • courtTate has yet to indicate a plea. (dublinlive.ie)
  • courtJudge Monika Leech remanded Tate on continuing bail to appear again on May 7. (dublinlive.ie)
  • courtTate faced his second appearance at Dublin District Court. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtGardaí sought a 12-week adjournment to obtain directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtTate took up €5,000 bail. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtTate was remanded on continuing bail to appear again on May 7. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherA series of criminal acts quickly escalated into a mass riot, according to the detective sergeant. (dublinlive.ie)
  • otherTate has taken up €5,000 bail. (dublinlive.ie)
  • otherBail conditions include a 9 pm to 6 am curfew. (dublinlive.ie)
  • otherGardaí said there was a possibility of further charges. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 14 Feb2024
    In courtirishmirror.ie, first report
    Man, 61, charged with arson of Luas in Dublin riot could face 'further charges'

    Gives the charges against John Tate, his bail terms and the adjournment to May 7, and says further charges are possible. The Riad Bouchaker case is mentioned only in passing and is not part of this report.

    accused, John Tate, 61, male, named, irish (judged from name)John Tate
  2. 13 Feb2024
    In courtdublinlive.ie, follow-up
    Man charged with arson of Luas during Dublin riot may face 'further charges'

    Adds the second court appearance: Tate has taken up €5,000 bail, has yet to indicate a plea, and the case was adjourned to May 7 after gardaí sought a 12-week adjournment. The article gives more detail on the alleged conduct and the garda investigation.

    accused, John Tate, 61, male, named, irish (judged from name)John Tate
  3. 6 Feb2024
    In courtirishtimes.com, follow-up
    Dublin riots: Man (61) charged with torching Luas on O’Connell Street

    Reports the charges and the Dublin District Court appearance on 6 February 2024, including the six offences, bail conditions and the adjournment date, and gives the alleged details of the Luas arson and the Garda investigation.

    accused, John Tate, 61, male, named, irish (judged from name)John Tate