A man has appeared in court accused of being part of a large group of people who surrounded and assaulted Gardaí during the November riots in Dublin.

Twenty-one-year-old Thomas Fox, of Kinlay House Hostel, Lord Edward Street, Dublin, is also accused of looting and causing criminal damage to a bus on that night.

Thousands of hours of CCTV footage have been examined as part of the investigation into the Dublin riots, and it is the State’s case that Thomas Fox can be identified as one of those who looted Foot Locker on O’Connell Street.

He’s also accused of causing damage to a Dublin bus and being part of a large group that surrounded and assaulted members of An Garda Síochána during the riot.

It is further alleged that he later posed for photos with a Garda hat.

Following his arrest, the court heard he was asked for his attitude towards migrants, to which he replied, “Get them out, they’re smellbags.”

Mr Fox, who is also facing drug charges, was refused bail today and remanded in custody until tomorrow.

Others charged

Four other men also appeared in court today on charges related to the riots.

Corey Gaynor (23), of Margaret Kennedy Road, Donore Avenue, Dublin 8, is facing charges of rioting, burglary, criminal damage and possession of a stolen fire extinguisher.

Gavin Murphy (44), of Oriel Hall, Dublin 1, is accused of stealing from Footlocker on O’Connell Street Lower.

Gavin Hudson (27), of Summerhill Place, Dublin 1, is accused of looting at Footlocker and Lifestyle Sports, both on Mary Street; as well as being in possession of stolen goods, including a backpack, headphones, a kettle, cosmetics and creams, and a battery for an electric bike.

Jamie Robinson (24), of Windmill Avenue, Crumlin, is accused of stealing from the Gala shop on Lower Abbey Street, and of being in possession of stolen goods, namely eight boxes of cigarettes, a Puma hoodie and socks. 

Main image: A double-decker bus and a car are set alight on the edge of O’Connell Bridge this evening, 23-11-2023. Image: Sam Boal/RollingNews