Sunday 1 November 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. 22096Breach of stay-at-home regulations under the Health Act · Co. Dublin · 4 Apr 2021

YouTuber Sean Leahy acquitted of breaking Covid stay-at-home laws at Dublin District Court

Sean Leahy, 51, owner of the Dublin City Today YouTube channel, was acquitted at Dublin District Court of breaking the stay-at-home laws under the Health Act after Judge John Hughes accepted he had a media exemption when he was arrested filming a 1916 Rising commemoration at the GPO on 4 April 2021.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Acquitted3 Mar
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
12 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatSean Leahy was acquitted of breaking the stay-at-home laws under the Health Act. (thejournal.ie)
  • whatHe owns the Dublin City Today YouTube channel. (thejournal.ie)
  • whatThe channel had 723,000 subscribers featuring 3,400 clips of musicians playing around the city. (thejournal.ie)
  • whatDefence counsel Emer Ní Chuagain argued he was part of the media category of essential workers with an exemption. (thejournal.ie)
  • whatHe was making a recording for his channel, not live-streaming, and had a camera and a tripod. (thejournal.ie)
  • whatHe was within the 5km limit that applied during the lockdown. (thejournal.ie)
  • whatHe had not been aggressive to a garda who questioned him. (thejournal.ie)
  • whenHe was arrested on 4 April 2021 while filming an event at the GPO commemorating the 1916 Rising. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeHe pleaded not guilty to a charge for breaking the stay at home laws under the Health Act. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe case was heard at Dublin District Court before Judge John Hughes. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtJudge Hughes said the regulations had an important category for media and that it was necessary for society to communicate programmes and news during level 5 stages. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherHe had a separate case pending challenging the legality of the laws brought in during the crisis. (thejournal.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 3 Mar2023
    Acquittedthejournal.ie, first report
    YouTuber cleared of breaking Covid lockdown laws after judge accepts he had media exemption

    Reports the acquittal of Sean Leahy at Dublin District Court, with Judge Hughes accepting his media exemption as a YouTuber and broadcaster.

    accused, Sean Leahy, 51, male, named, irish (judged from name)Sean Leahy