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. 1613Assault causing harm · Co. Dublin · 23 May 2025

Tourist punched in face on Dame Street, Dublin

A woman was punched in the face without warning on Dame Street in Dublin city centre at 11.30am on Friday 23 May 2025, and was knocked to the ground bleeding with a deep laceration on her temple and swelling and bruising on her left eye. Kevin Kletzander, a 33-year-old man who resides in a Dublin 8 hostel, was charged with assault causing harm in what Gardaí described as a gender-targeted and totally unprovoked attack. Separately, Anthony Dowling, a 50-year-old man from Clonsilla, Dublin, was charged with theft of a Ford Transit van, dangerous driving and criminal damage after allegedly leading Gardaí on a pursuit from Dublin into counties Meath and Kildare, during which the van reversed into a Garda car at Dunboyne. Both men were refused bail by Judge Catherine Ghent at Dublin District Court on Saturday 24 May 2025 and remanded in custody to appear again on 29 May 2025, with directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions to be sought about further charges.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Charged25 May
    2 reports
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • A woman was punched in the face without warning on Dame Street, Dublin city centre, at 11.30am on Friday 23 May 2025, and was knocked to the ground bleeding with a deep laceration on her temple and swelling and bruising on her left eye.
  • The attack was described by Gardaí as gender-targeted and totally unprovoked.
  • A Ford Transit van was allegedly taken after males broke into a woman's house on Thursday, and the driver led Gardaí on a pursuit from Dublin into counties Meath and Kildare, reversing into a Garda car at Dunboyne before the van was abandoned in Adamstown, west Dublin.
Where
The attack took place on Dame Street in Dublin city centre.
When
The attack occurred at 11.30am on Friday 23 May 2025, and patrolling Gardaí observed the van in the Clonee area at 4.45am on Friday.
Investigation
CCTV evidence of the incident exists, and Garda Niamh Dunne cited huge safety concerns for the public and any female the accused encounters.
Charges
Kevin Kletzander, 33, was charged with assault causing harm, and Anthony Dowling, 50, of Clonsilla, Dublin, was charged with theft of a Ford Transit van, dangerous driving and criminal damage.
In court
  • Both accused were refused bail by Judge Catherine Ghent at Dublin District Court on Saturday 24 May 2025, with Judge Ghent noting the seriousness of the incident and that the assault was allegedly gendered in nature.
  • Both were remanded in custody to appear again on 29 May 2025, legal aid was granted, and directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions will be sought about further charges.
Other details
  • Kevin Kletzander resides in a Dublin 8 hostel, has a history of mental illness, spoke in English, Dutch and French while in the station, and attends medical appointments regularly, goes to the gym, and maintains contact with his family.
  • Anthony Dowling replied he did not take anything in response to the motor theft charge.
27 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe van had been taken with a car after males broke into a woman's house on Thursday. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe van driver led Gardaí on a pursuit that crossed from Dublin into counties Meath and Kildare. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe van first went to Dunboyne where it came to a stop and reversed into a Garda car. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatGardaí dropped to prevent further ramming and followed the van to Maynooth. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe accused was allegedly found hiding in a building nearby with the vehicle keys beside him. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatDuring the pursuit the accused was seen driving at one stage when he turned in front of Gardaí. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe accused punched the woman in the face without warning. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe tourist was knocked to the ground, bleeding and in shock. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatShe suffered a deep laceration on her temple and swelling and bruising on her left eye. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe van was abandoned in Adamstown, west Dublin. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe attack took place on Dame Street in Dublin city centre. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe accused resides in a Dublin 8 hostel. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenPatrolling Gardaí observed the van in the Clonee area at 4.45 am on Friday. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe attack occurred at 11.30am on Friday, 23 May 2025. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationGarda Niamh Dunne cited huge safety concerns for the public and any female the accused encounters. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationCCTV evidence of the incident exists. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeAnthony Dowling, 50, of Clonsilla, Dublin, was charged with theft of a Ford Transit van, dangerous driving and criminal damage. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtBail was denied and the accused was remanded in custody to appear again on Thursday. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtLegal aid was granted to the accused. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtDirections from the Director of Public Prosecutions will be sought about further charges. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtHe was refused bail by Judge Catherine Ghent at Dublin District Court on Saturday. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtJudge Ghent denied bail noting the seriousness of the incident and that the assault was allegedly gendered in nature. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe accused has yet to enter a plea and will appear again on 29 May 2025. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe accused replied he did not take anything in response to the motor theft charge. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe attack was described as gender-targeted and totally unprovoked. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe accused spoke in English, Dutch and French while in the station. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe accused attends medical appointments regularly, goes to the gym, and maintains contact with his family. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 25 May2025
    Chargedirishmirror.ie, first report
    Tourist floored in shocking gender-targeted attack just after arrival in Ireland

    Bail hearing at Dublin District Court; accused refused bail by Judge Catherine Ghent, yet to enter a plea, next appearance 29 May 2025. Garda described the attack as gender-targeted and totally unprovoked.

    victim, female, non-irish (judged from name)suspect, Kevin Kletzander, 33, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Kevin Kletzander
  2. 25 May2025
    Chargedirishmirror.ie, follow-up
    Man who allegedly rammed Garda car with stolen van refused bail

    Bail hearing at Dublin District Court; accused remanded in custody to appear again on Thursday; DPP directions sought for further charges; legal aid granted.

    accused, Anthony Dowling, 50, male, named, irish (judged from name)Anthony Dowlingvictim, female