Convicted bomber avoids jail for violent disorder on Luas

By Claire Henry

A man who was involved in causing an explosion in Germany in 1996 was today given a two-year suspended sentence for his role in a violent disorder on a Luas almost eight years ago.

 Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Michael Dickson (59) of Thornywood Rise, Nottingham, United Kingdom, pleaded guilty to violent disorder at the Four Courts Luas stop on February 6, 2016.

The court heard the offence occurred on a day a demonstration was due to take place outside the GPO on O’Connell Street. Dickson was taking part in a counter demonstration.

Dickson has seven previous convictions, one of which is from Germany, where Dickson was sentenced to six years and six months for attempted murder and causing an explosion.

Passing sentence on Thursday, Judge Martin Nolan said,“political violence is never acceptable”, and this man and the co-accused “had a different view of the men going to a demonstration, but there was no reason to attack them”.

Judge Nolan said he was familiar with this case as he had dealt with the co-accused in this case.

The judge said this must have “terrified” other Luas travellers. He noted that Dickson has a serious conviction dating back to 1996, which was dealt with in Germany.

Judge Nolan sentenced him to two years in prison, which he suspended in full. He also ordered Dickson to pay €2,500, which would be donated to charity.

Detective Sergeant Colm Davison told Kate Egan, BL, prosecuting, that on the day in question, a demonstration was due to take place outside the GPO on O’Connell Street. Three men were travelling on the Luas to the demonstration and one of them was due to give a speech.

Det Sgt Davison said a group of ten men got on the Luas at Smithfield and surrounded the three men. The group of ten began to interact with the three men, and shouting, punching, and kicking were carried out on the men. CCTV footage from the Luas was obtained by gardai and shown to the court.

 The group of ten men exited the Luas at the next stop at the Four Courts. The court heard that the incident lasted for 30 to 40 seconds, and as it happened between two Luas stops and passengers were unable to get off the Luas. The accused was identified and interviewed twice, but nothing of value came from either interview.

Det Sgt Davison agreed with Paul Murray SC, defending, that the incident occurred in 2016 when an anti-Islam demonstration was taking place, and his client and the co-accused were taking part in a counterdemonstration.

The Det Sgt agreed with counsel that his client was interviewed in 2017 and gave no difficulties to the gardai. He further agreed that no charges were brought against him until October 2018, and at this point, Dickson had returned to the UK.

Mr Murray said an extradition application was made in 2023, and his client was arrested in the UK and returned to Ireland voluntarily.

Counsel said Dickson was granted bail, and has adhered to all bail conditions.

Mr Murray said with regards to the previous conviction in Germany in 1996, it related to a bombing. He said his client was sentenced to six years and served three. He said Dickson was released under the Good Friday Agreement.