Gardaí have released CCTV images of 99 people they want to identify in connection with the riots in Dublin on November 23, 2023.
This analysis has identified 99 “persons of interest”, who gardaí need to interview to either include or exclude them from the investigation.
They are now asking for public help to identify the individuals whose images have been posted on the Garda website.
These individuals are in addition to the 57 people already arrested in relation to looting and rioting, with 53 of them charged.
The high-quality images were taken from CCTV footage, mainly from inside stores that were broken into and robbed, with other images obtained from the streets where disorder was taking place.
Photographs of the “persons of interest” have been uploaded on various Garda social media platforms with tools for people to provide information and even names of those pictured. The information can be provided anonymously or not.
Chief Superintendent Patrick McMenamin, who is leading the investigation, said: “I’m appealing to members of the public to access the images and, where they can, to help us with identifying those people. Nominations [the name of the person] can be made through the Garda website.
“I can assure the public that their information will be treated with the strictest of confidentiality.”
He said CCTV imagery had played a “significant role” in the investigation to date, but added that gardaí have had to view 17,000 hours of footage.
“It is a slow and laborious process and requires the same piece of footage to be viewed on more than one occasion,” he said.
He praised the “stellar work” of the investigation team, which has comprised more than 50 members.
The investigation has so far resulted in:
- 57 arrests and 53 charges;
- 14 people have been convicted in the District Court for public order offences;
- 11 other people are currently before the District Court;
- One conviction in the higher Circuit Criminal Court, in which a man pleaded guilty in relation to arson (setting a garda car on fire) and violent disorder;
- Four people are before the Circuit Court
Chief Supt McMenamin said the rioting on 23 November went on for “a number of hours” and caused “significant reputational damage” for Dublin city.
He said the actions of people on the night had left “many traumatised” and said that 13 gardaí were injured.
He said the garda investigation team was “determined” to complete their work and urged the public to assist gardaí to “bring to justice everyone who contributed to the rioting and violent disorder” that night.
Garda press officer Superintendent Liam Geraghty said that, while they have published images before of wanted people, on the likes of Crimecall, this was the first time they had “proactively used social media” to ask people to identify persons of interest.
He said the online tool gives a “step by step” process to viewing the photographs and submitting information through a “feedback form”, either anonymously or people can give their name and email.
Any such information submitted goes directly to the investigation team and can’t be accessed by anyone else, he said.
Supt Geraghty said the organisation had conducted a data impact assessment to allow them to publish the imagery.
Asked about how the progress of the garda investigations compared with the speed of recent investigations into far-right riots in Southport, England, and subsequent convictions there, Chief Supt McMenamin, said that gardaí have to work “within the legislation” in Ireland.
He said “due process” has to take place to bring a case before court and for the courts to deal with it.
He pointed out that there was “a lot of work to do” before they can go for an arrest.
Also questioned if the day and night of the 23 November damaged the reputation of the organisation, Chief Supt McMenamin said that was for “others to judge”, but said that he believed it didn’t and pointed to the success of the investigation.
He said local gardaí now had body-worn cameras, under a government pilot, and that the organisation had “increased public order capacity and increased training”.
The looting and disorder on 23 November followed an afternoon of shocking violence, when a knife-wielding man attacked children and carers outside a school on Parnell Square, leaving one child with critical injuries and a woman with serious injuries.
A mix of misinformation and disinformation was fuelled by anti-immigrant and far-right social media accounts, urging people to gather in the city to protest and, in some cases, commit violence.
Asked about investigations into those inciting violence and stirring up hate online, Chief Supt McMenamin said national units were taking charge in that inquiry.
The riots, which lasted from 4pm to midnight, caused serious damage and disruption in the North and South Inner City.
Over the course of the evening:
- 28 vehicles were damaged or destroyed, including a Luas tram, three Dublin Buses, 15 Garda vehicles, and two fire brigade vehicles.
- 66 businesses were vandalized, with over 500 premises checked by gardaí.
- 13 gardaí were injured during the incidents.
Gardaí are asking that anyone who recognise any of people in the images or have information to contact them on 01-6668000 or email Store Street Garda Station on store.street.public@garda.ie.
Confidential tips can also be provided through the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111.
They are also asking anyone who sees their own image to come forward.
