Dublin riots looter was a “follower”, court hears

By Eimear Dodd

A man who looted three shops during the Dublin riots was a “follower” who took items including Nike runners, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court has heard.

Faraj Odukoya (20) of Brega, Hamlet Lane, Balbriggan, Co. Dublin, pleaded guilty to two counts of burglary on November 23, 2023.

Detective Garda Aoife Farrelly told Caroline Latham BL, prosecuting, that Odukoya was not involved in the initial breach of Lifestyle Sports on Mary Street and two Footlocker stores on Mary Street and O’Connell Street, but was one of those who entered the shops after and took items.

The court was told that gardai could not give an exact value for the items taken by Odukoya, but he was seen at one point with two boxes of Nike runners under his arm. He was in the shops for around 5 to 6 minutes.

The total loss to Footlocker O’Connell Street was over €435,200, while the Mary Street store’s losses were approximately €323,000, and the Lifestyle Sports shop had a total loss of €313,990.

Odukoya was identified by gardai from CCTV during the investigation in 2025. Nothing of evidential value was obtained when he was interviewed.

Det Gda Farrelly agreed with Judge Martin Nolan that gardai were satisfied that Odukoya was “not a leader, but a follower”.

Odukoya’s previous convictions include road traffic, public order and drugs offences.

Det Gda Farrelly agreed with Eoin Lawlor SC, defending, that Odukoya entered an early guilty plea, and opportunism was the primary motivator for this offending.

The court was told that Odukoya is in custody and due to be sentenced next month in relation to a separate matter.

Adjourning this case, Judge Nolan said the court intended to hear facts in the separate matter next month, noting the court must take into account the principles of totality and proportionality when imposing a sentence.