A man who was 18-years-old when he participated in the Dublin riots has been jailed while a probation report is prepared in respect of him.
Evan Moore (20) of Grangemore Road, Donaghmede, Dublin pleaded guilty to charges of arson, criminal damage, and riot all in respect of the events of the 23rd of November 2023 in the aftermath of the stabbing of three small children and a female care worker by an Algerian national at Gaelscoil Colaiste Mhuire in Parnell Square.
Detective Garda Ken Hoare of Store Street Garda station gave evidence that the accused was identified through the examination of 17,000 hours of CCTV from the night in question.
He was later located at what counsel for the state described as “an anti-immigration protest” in Dublin on the 24th of May 2025.
When approached by Gardaí on that date, he identified himself and admitted that he had been at the riot.
The court heard that Moore, who has no previous convictions, participated in the criminal damage and arson of Luas number 5037.
Detective Hoare said that on the night 600 members of An Garda Síochána were deployed as those gathered in the vicinity of the Garden of Remembrance became “more violent”.
A number of Garda vehicles were damaged as well as a number of public transport vehicles.
CCTV played before the court showed Moore helping to set fire to bags of rubbish which were then put onto the Luas through glass panels that had been smashed.
In a clip for later on, he could be seen putting a large bag of rubbish onto the tram which was ablaze at that point.
When interviewed by Gardaí and asked if he was “ashamed” of what he did, he answered “Yes, I regret it”.
The court heard that the damage caused to the Luas cost €4,975,482, that the cost to the Luas infrastructure cost €55,000, and that the cleanup after the riot cost €115,525 .
Moore’s defence counsel, Seoirse O’Dunlaing SC, told the court that the events of that night were “one of the most shameful acts in recent Irish history”.
He said that among the approximately 500 people involved in the riot, many had tried to cover their faces although his client had not worn a face covering over the course of his offending.
The court heard that the parents of the accused were “pleading” with him to come home and that his mother, Karen Moore, had sent him a text calling those engaged in criminal damage on the night “scumbags wrecking their own city”.
Karen Moore sent her son a message saying, “Get out Evan before it’s too late and something happens”,
“Just please Evan,” , “please please leave” and “my heart is racing” before saying that she felt she would have a “heart attack”.
Mr. O’Dunlaing said that many of the comments made on social media after the stabbing of the three children and careworler were “horrific”, “ill-informed” and “racist”, and that those rioting had been “whipped up” by “false commentary”.
He noted that another man who had set fire to a Garda vehicle on Parnell St was 28 yrs old at the time and received a 6 years sentence.
The court heard that the maximum sentence for arson is life in prison, that the maximum sentence for criminal damage is ten years, and that the maximum sentence for riot is also ten years.
Mother of the accused takes to the witness stand.
Moore’s mother took the stand to make representation on behalf of her son’s character.
Asked if she condoned his behaviour, she said “I do not condone it”, adding that she was “disgusted”, “embarrassed” and “shocked at his behaviour”.
She said that it was not her belief that her son was consuming an increased amount of social media at the time and that he has since completed “anti racism courses online” and is studying to be an electrician.
She said that she understood that her son would be facing a custodial sentence and affirmed to the court that he will have the “full support” of his family when he is released.
Asked about his attitude since the incident she said, “He’s a lot quieter” and “I know he’s ashamed of what he did”.
Mr. O’Dunlaing said that the accused has “Brought shame not only to him, but also to his family” and that he was “Not offering any cock and bull story” but accepted what he did.
He said that on the night in question “far right agitators” has sought to “take advantage” of what had happened earlier in the day.
He said that the accused is “someone who can be a force for good” and asked the court to consider ordering the preparation of a probation report.
Judge Orla Crowe agreed that a probation report “may be of some assistance” noting some “troubling features” of the case.
She ordered Moore to be remanded in custody until the 13th of October for sentencing.
The mother of the accused sobbed in court as her son was taken away.