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. 2458Causing unnecessary suffering to animals, theft · Co. Dublin · 26 Jun 2024

Man charged over stabbing two pigs outside proposed asylum centre in Dublin

Darren Jackson, 39, of Rivermeade, Co Dublin, was remanded on bail at Swords District Court sitting in Balbriggan after being charged with causing unnecessary suffering to two pigs and stealing keys at Thornton Hall, Kilsallaghan, in June 2024. He is to be formally served with a Book of Evidence and sent forward to Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for trial.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Charged29 Jan
  4. In court28 Jan
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
34 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatTwo injured pigs discovered at the site were attended to by a vet and subsequently euthanised. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatA third pig was unharmed and was taken into care. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe accused is Darren Jackson, 39, of Rivermeade Drive, Rivermeade, Co Dublin (dublinlive.ie)
  • whatTwo injured pigs were discovered at the location (dublinlive.ie)
  • whatThe injured pigs were attended to by a vet and subsequently euthanised (dublinlive.ie)
  • whatA third pig, unharmed, was taken into care (dublinlive.ie)
  • whereThe offences occurred at Thornton Hall, Kilsallaghan, north county Dublin (dublinlive.ie)
  • whenGardaí were called out to Thornton Hall at around 5.30pm on the evening of 26 June 2024. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe pig offences occurred on 26 June 2024 (dublinlive.ie)
  • whenThe key theft occurred on 25 June 2024 (dublinlive.ie)
  • whenHe is to appear again on Monday, 10 February 2025 (dublinlive.ie)
  • whenGardaí were called to Thornton Hall on Wednesday evening, 26 June 2024 at around 5.30pm (dublinlive.ie)
  • chargeJackson is charged with two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to, or endangering the health or welfare of an animal at Thornton Hall, Killsallaghan, Swords, on 26 June 2024. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeJackson is also charged with stealing a set of keys at the same site on 25 June 2024. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeHe is charged with two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to or endangering the health and welfare of two pigs (dublinlive.ie)
  • chargeThe animal welfare offences are contrary to Section 12(1) and (2) and Section 52(2) of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 (dublinlive.ie)
  • chargeHe is further charged with stealing a set of keys to a portable lighting generator of IGO Emergency Management Services (dublinlive.ie)
  • chargeThe theft offence is contrary to Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Theft and Fraud Offences Act 2001 (dublinlive.ie)
  • courtJackson was in Swords District Court on Tuesday when his case came before Judge Shalom Binchy. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe DPP directed that Jackson be sent forward for trial on indictment or on signed plea. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe case was adjourned to 10 February for formal service of the book of evidence. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtJackson was remanded on continuing bail to 10 February. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtGarda Philip Walsh of Swords Garda station said Jackson made no reply to the charges after caution. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtJackson was directed to sign on at Swords Garda station twice weekly and to stay away from all international protection sites. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtHe appeared at Swords District Court sitting in Balbriggan before Judge Shalom Binchy (dublinlive.ie)
  • courtThe judge remanded the accused on continuing bail (dublinlive.ie)
  • courtHe will be formally served with the Book of Evidence and sent forward to the circuit court for trial (dublinlive.ie)
  • courtBail conditions include signing on at Swords Garda Station twice a week (dublinlive.ie)
  • courtBail conditions include notifying gardaí of a change of residential address (dublinlive.ie)
  • courtBail conditions include staying away from all International Protection Accommodation sites (dublinlive.ie)
  • otherThe government intended to develop the Thornton Hall site as an international protection accommodation centre. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherIn August, the Department of Integration put in place a ministerial order to provide a planning exemption for works on the Thornton Hall site. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherJudicial review proceedings brought in October by local residents led to further works on the site being paused. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherIn August 2024 the Department of Integration put in place a Ministerial Order to provide a planning exemption for works at the site (dublinlive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 29 Jan2025
    Chargeddublinlive.ie, first report
    Man accused of stabbing two pigs outside proposed asylum centre to stand trial

    District court appearance; remanded on continuing bail with conditions pending service of Book of Evidence and referral to Circuit Criminal Court for trial.

    accused, Darren Jackson, 39, male, named, irish (judged from name)Darren Jackson
  2. 28 Jan2025
    In courtirishtimes.com, follow-up
    Man to be sent forward for trial in connection with alleged stabbing of two pigs at Thornton Hall site

    Case sent forward for trial before Dublin Circuit Criminal Court; adjourned to 10 February 2025 for formal service of book of evidence; Jackson remanded on continuing bail; court heard details of the incident (two injured pigs euthanised, third pig unharmed); background on Thornton Hall as planned international protection accommodation site provided.

    suspect, Darren Jackson, 39, male, named, irish (judged from name)Darren Jackson