More than 90 identified after Dublin riot inquiry appeal

More than 90 of the almost 100 people highlighted by gardaí as “persons of interest” in relation to the Dublin riots last year have been identified following a public appeal.

Gardaí published more than 160 images of people they wished to speak to in relation to the investigation and said there was a “very significant public response” to the appeal.

Following the riots on 23 November 2023, detectives gathered more than 17,000 hours of CCTV footage.

From the analysis of this footage, gardaí had identified 99 “persons of interests”, who they said they wanted to talk to, in order to either rule them in or out of the investigation.

All of the images have now been removed from the garda website as the investigation continues.

In a statement, gardaí said that the investigation team will continue “to consider how to progress and identify the small number of remaining ‘person of interest’ cases.

During the unrest in the capital last year more than 60 shops and businesses were attacked and looted.

Buses and garda cars were burned out, transport was disrupted and 13 gardaí were injured.

More than 1,100 statements have been taken and around 500 lines of inquiry have been pursued.

So far, almost 60 people have been arrested and more than 150 charges have been preferred.

Last week, a 28-year-old man who set a garda car on fire, jumped on the bonnet of another and attacked an accommodation centre for International Protection applicants on the night of riots was jailed for six-and-a half-years.

Declan Donaghey from William Street in Dublin pleaded guilty to arson, criminal damage and riot.