Woman (34) accused of torching bus in Dublin riots granted bail
Leanne Kelly (34) 'completely destroyed' the bus, at a cost of €477,000, during the November 2023 riot in the city centre
A woman accused of torching a Dublin bus during the November 2023 riot in the city centre has been granted bail.
Leanne Kelly (34) 'completely destroyed' the bus, at a cost of €477,000 when she got on board and used a piece of burning rubbish to set it alight, it is alleged.
The incident happened during street violence that erupted in central Dublin after three children and a woman were injured in a knife attack.
Ms Kelly first appeared in Dublin District Court last week, when a bail application was adjourned.
Dublin riots.
News in 90 Seconds - May 14th
Today, Judge Michele Finan set bail in Ms Kelly's own bond of €300, with a €3,000 independent surety, to be approved by the court.
Under conditions, she must live at an address at Kilbride Grove, Bray, Co Wicklow, sign on daily at Bray garda station and provide a contact number to gardai.
The accused was remanded in custody with consent to bail, to appear in court again on June 9, for the service of a book of evidence.
Ms Kelly is charged with causing criminal damage to a Dublin bus at O'Connell Bridge on November 23, 2023.
At last week's bail hearing, Detective Garda Barry Brennan said the incident happened at 7.30pm when the accused allegedly picked up a piece of rubbish and ran to a garda car that was already on fire.
It was alleged she 'extracted' flames from the car onto the rubbish and ran to a Dublin bus that had been abandoned. Other rioters had surrounded the bus, attacked the driver and forced him off, the court heard.
According to the prosecution, Ms Kelly ran through the middle doors and onto the bus where she threw the burning piece of rubbish onto the ground. This set the bus alight and it was completely destroyed, at a cost of €477, 851, Det Gda Brennan said.
The entire incident was captured on CCTV and the accused identified herself in the footage, he said. He did not believe she would attend court if granted bail.
Applying for bail, defence solicitor Niall O'Connor said his client presented in court as a 'very different lady' than on the footage.
Ms Kelly is the latest person arrested as part of the ongoing investigation into what was one of the worst outbreaks of public disorder in the history of the state.
More than 80 people have been arrested and more than 60 charged with offences including committing riot, arson, violent disorder, possession of weapons and theft.
Several have already been convicted.
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