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. 5819Intimidation · Co. Dublin · 20 Sep 2023

Man pleads guilty to intimidating TD Michael Healy-Rae at Leinster House protest

On 20 September 2023, during a protest outside Leinster House in Dublin as the Dáil resumed after the summer recess, Dean Hickson, a 22-year-old man from Finglas East, Dublin, threw a plastic bottle in the direction of Kerry TD Michael Healy-Rae and blocked him. Hickson was identified from video footage after a Garda investigation, and the DPP directed summary disposal in the District Court. In May 2024 at Dublin District Court, Hickson pleaded guilty to intimidating Michael Healy-Rae, and Judge Paula Murphy ordered a Probation Service restorative justice report and remanded him on continuing bail. The latest development is that he is due to appear for sentencing in September.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Convicted24 May
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Dean Hickson, 22, pleaded guilty to intimidating Michael Healy-Rae by throwing a bottle at him and blocking him.
  • CCTV footage showed Hickson throwing a plastic bottle in the direction of Michael Healy-Rae, narrowly missing his head.
Where
The incident took place at Leinster House and Kildare Street, Dublin 2, outside Government buildings.
When
The incident happened on 20 September 2023, as the Dáil resumed after the summer recess.
Cause
The incident occurred when an anti-government and immigration demonstration spiralled out of control.
Weapon
The object thrown was a plastic bottle.
Investigation
Hickson was identified from video footage after a Garda investigation.
Charges
The DPP directed summary disposal in the District Court rather than trial at the Circuit Court.
In court
Judge Paula Murphy accepted jurisdiction and heard the case at Dublin District Court in May 2024.
Sentence
  • Judge Paula Murphy ordered the Probation Service to prepare a restorative justice report.
  • Hickson was remanded on continuing bail to appear in September for sentencing.
Other details
  • The victim did not wish to provide a victim impact statement.
  • Hickson has no prior criminal convictions.
  • The judge said the incident was very distressing for all concerned.
13 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatHickson admitted intimidating Michael Healy-Rae by throwing a bottle at him and blocking him at Leinster House. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatCCTV footage showed Hickson throwing a plastic bottle in the direction of Michael Healy-Rae, narrowly missing his head. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereHickson pleaded guilty to intimidating Michael Healy-Rae at Kildare Street, Dublin 2. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe incident happened on September 20 during a protest outside Government buildings as the Dáil resumed after the summer recess. (irishmirror.ie)
  • causeThe incident occurred when an anti-government and immigration demonstration spiralled out of control. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationHickson was identified from video footage after a Garda investigation. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeThe DPP directed summary disposal in the District Court rather than a trial at the Circuit Court. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtJudge Paula Murphy accepted jurisdiction to deal with the case. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge ordered the Probation Service to prepare a restorative justice report. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceHickson was remanded on continuing bail to appear in September for sentencing. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe victim, Michael Healy-Rae, did not wish to provide a victim impact statement. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherHickson has no prior criminal convictions. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe judge said the incident was very distressing for all concerned. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 24 May2024
    Convictedirishmirror.ie, first report
    Man guilty of ‘intimidating’ Michael Healy-Rae vows to avoid political protests

    First article in the list on this case. It reports Hickson's court appearance, his guilty plea, the Probation Service restorative justice report order, and sentencing set for September. The article gives no year for the incident.

    convicted, Dean Hickson, 22, male, named, irish (judged from name)Dean Hicksonvictim, Michael Healy-Rae, male, irish (judged from name)Michael Healy-Rae