Ireland Saggart man pleads guilty to assault after confronting stranger over false social media paedophile claims
Stephen McInerney, 29, of Saggart, Dublin, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing harm and the production of pepper spray after confronting a stranger in July 2020 following false paedophile allegations on social media. The case was adjourned to March 2023 for a probation report and sentencing.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court5 Dec
2 reports - Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports26 statements extracted from the articles
- whatMcInerney confronted the victim after reading false allegations on social media that the man was a paedophile. (irishtimes.com, kildarenow.com)
- whatMcInerney was one of two men who confronted the victim while he was walking to the shops. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe men showed the victim a photo on a phone and asked if it was him. (irishtimes.com, kildarenow.com)
- whatMcInerney shouted at the victim that he would kill him. (irishtimes.com, kildarenow.com)
- whatMcInerney sprayed the victim with pepper spray when the victim left the shop. (irishtimes.com)
- whatMcInerney was one of two men who confronted the victim while he was walking to the shops at around 7pm. (kildarenow.com)
- whatMcInerney sprayed the victim with pepper spray when the victim left a nearby shop. (kildarenow.com)
- whatThe victim's sister told gardai she thought McInerney had a knife in his hand, which he put away when he realised the victim was recording. (kildarenow.com)
- whereThe incident took place in Saggart, Dublin. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe incident occurred on 14 July 2020 at around 7pm. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí obtained CCTV footage as part of their investigation. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationMcInerney's home was searched on 21 July 2020 and gardai seized pepper spray and clothes. (kildarenow.com)
- chargeMcInerney pleaded guilty to assault causing harm and the production of pepper spray. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeMcInerney pleaded guilty to assault causing harm and the production of pepper spray on 14 July 2020 in Saggart. (kildarenow.com)
- courtJudge Crowe adjourned the case to 27 March 2023 for finalisation. (irishtimes.com)
- courtJudge Crowe ordered McInerney to keep away from the victim. (irishtimes.com)
- courtJudge Crowe adjourned the case to 27 March 2023 for finalisation and ordered McInerney to keep away from the victim. (kildarenow.com)
- courtThe case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. (kildarenow.com)
- otherMcInerney has 36 previous convictions including one for making threats to kill. (irishtimes.com, kildarenow.com)
- otherMcInerney told gardaí he found the pepper spray on the bus. (irishtimes.com)
- otherMcInerney said the item in his hand was not a knife but a silver table leg. (irishtimes.com, kildarenow.com)
- otherMcInerney is working and has a stepchild. (irishtimes.com)
- otherMcInerney brought €1,000 to court as a token of remorse, which the victim did not wish to accept. (irishtimes.com, kildarenow.com)
- otherMcInerney told gardai he found the pepper spray on the bus. (kildarenow.com)
- otherMcInerney told gardai he was sorry and it was not his place to get involved. (kildarenow.com)
- otherThe victim was stressed and anxious following the incident and was bullied by his neighbours. (kildarenow.com)
The reporting
newest first- 6 Dec2022Man who resides near Kildare-Dublin border ‘acted as a vigilante’ and attacked a ‘blameless’ stranger after reading false claims on social media
Plea and pre-sentence hearing at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court; Judge Crowe adjourned to 27 March 2023 for probation report and finalisation, and ordered McInerney to keep away from the victim.
accused, Stephen McInerney, 29, male, named, irish (judged from name)Stephen McInerneyvictim, maleaccused, male - 5 Dec2022Man ‘acted as vigilante’ and attacked ‘blameless’ stranger after reading false claims on social media, court hears
Provides full detail of the court hearing: the victim's account of being confronted, sprayed with pepper spray and followed home; McInerney's 36 previous convictions; his claim the item was a silver table leg not a knife; the defence's mitigation including €1,000 token of remorse; Judge Crowe's comments calling the victim 'utterly blameless'; and the adjournment to 27 March 2023 with a keep-away order.
victim, maleaccused, Stephen McInerney, 29, male, named, irish (judged from name)Stephen McInerneysuspect, male