Ireland Philip Dwyer given suspended sentence for affray in Bray
On 24 November 2024, an altercation took place outside the Holy Redeemer Church on Main Street in Bray, Co Wicklow, involving Philip Dwyer, who was contesting the election as an independent candidate, and People Before Profit candidate Kellie McConnell and her canvassers. CCTV footage showed David McConnell shoving Dwyer, after which Dwyer pushed him back. Dwyer pleaded not guilty at Bray District Court to affray and claimed self-defence, but Judge David Kennedy convicted him and imposed a three-month prison sentence suspended for 12 months and a €750 fine. Thejournal.ie reported the outcome, with the article metadata dated 1 February 2026 and the byline dated 19 February 2026.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced1 Feb
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Philip Dwyer was charged with affray.
- Where
- The incident happened outside the Holy Redeemer Church on Main Street in Bray, Co Wicklow.
- When
- The incident happened on 24 November 2024.
- Cause
- Dwyer interacted with People Before Profit candidate Kellie McConnell and her canvassers.
- Investigation
- CCTV footage showed David McConnell shoving Dwyer, after which Dwyer pushed him back.
- Charges
- Dwyer pleaded not guilty at Bray District Court to a charge of affray.
- In court
- Judge David Kennedy convicted Dwyer of affray and called the incident atrocious and utterly avoidable.
- The court outcome was reported with article metadata dated 1 February 2026 and a byline dated 19 February 2026.
- Sentence
- Dwyer was sentenced to three months in prison, suspended for 12 months.
- Dwyer was fined €750.
- Other details
- Dwyer was contesting the election as an independent candidate.
- Dwyer claimed he was acting in self-defence.
- Neither party was injured and no medical attention was sought.
- Thejournal.ie described Dwyer as an anti-immigration activist.
12 statements extracted from the articles
- whereThe incident happened outside the Holy Redeemer Church on Main Street in Bray, Co Wicklow. (thejournal.ie)
- whenThe incident happened on 24 November 2024. (thejournal.ie)
- causeDwyer interacted with the People Before Profit candidate Kellie McConnell and her canvassers. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationCCTV footage showed Dwyer being shoved by David McConnell, after which Dwyer pushed him back. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeDwyer pleaded not guilty at Bray District Court to a charge of affray. (thejournal.ie)
- courtJudge David Kennedy convicted Dwyer of affray and called the incident atrocious and utterly avoidable. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceDwyer was sentenced to three months in prison. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceThe three-month sentence was suspended for 12 months. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceDwyer was fined €750. (thejournal.ie)
- otherDwyer was contesting the election as an independent candidate. (thejournal.ie)
- otherNeither party was injured and no medical attention was sought. (thejournal.ie)
- otherDwyer claimed he was acting in self-defence. (thejournal.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 1 Feb2026Anti-immigration activist Philip Dwyer avoids jail over altercation during election campaign
Court outcome of the affray case: Judge David Kennedy convicted Dwyer, imposed a three-month sentence suspended for 12 months, and a €750 fine. Dwyer had pleaded not guilty and claimed self-defence.
convicted, Philip Dwyer, 58, male, named, irish (judged from name)Philip Dwyer