'Love Ulster' rioter gets 18 months jail

A man who threw bricks at gardai during the 2006 'Love Ulster' riot has been jailed for 18 months for violent disorder by Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Sean Murphy (aged 23), previously of Tonlegee Road, Coolock, pleaded guilty to violent disorder on O'Connell Street on February 25, 2006.

Judge Patrick McCartan said Murphy had taken a "very active and front line role" in the viciousness of the day.

Detective Garda Michael Burke told Garnet Orange BL, prosecuting, that gardaí who were facing protesters on O'Connell Street clearly saw Murphy breaking paving stones into smaller pieces to be thrown at the police.

Murphy was seen throwing several bricks during the disturbance and was also spotted near a bin which was set alight.

When questioned, Murphy was able to identify himself from still photographs and CCTV footage of the riot.

He told gardaí he had not been aware of the organisation of a riot and had been "forced" into the crowd.

Det Gda Burke said Murphy had 29 previous convictions for public order, firearms and drugs offences.

He has a three-year-old child and was now homeless and a heroin addict.

Det Gda Burke agreed with Sandra Frayne BL, defending, that Murphy did not deny his involvement in the public disorder and it was fair to say that he did not have "political leanings".