E-scooter rider convicted after shouting ‘f* you, you red pr**k’ at Garda

Published on 25 September 2025Courts Reporting Scheme

A repeat offender has been convicted of a public order offence after shouting abuse at a garda who was dealing with a criminal damage incident in south Dublin.

Jason Thornton (23), of Patrick Doyle Road, Windy Arbour, Milltown, Dublin 6 appeared before Judge Anne Watkin at Dún Laoghaire District Court, where he pleaded not guilty to a charge under section 6 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act.

Garda Jack Hamilton told the court that at around 10pm on 15 June, 2024 he was investigating an incident involving criminal damage at St Colmbanus Road in Dundrum. He said that while he was speaking to the injured party, Thornton, who was on an e-scooter on a nearby walkway, raised his middle finger and shouted: “F*** you, you red prick”.

Garda Hamilton said he attempted to approach the accused to issue a warning, but Thornton accelerated away. He said members of the public were present and a crowd had gathered.

Sylvia-Maria Crowley BL, defending, argued that her client was “a normal member of the public” and that while gardaí may have found his behaviour unacceptable, it did not amount to a breach of the peace.

She said there were no independent witnesses and submitted the conduct did not meet the legal threshold for a public order offence.

Judge Watkin said it was not essential to prove disruption to the peace through witnesses. She said the fact that gardaí were already dealing with a criminal damage incident and speaking to the injured party when the abuse occurred was enough to meet the threshold, and she convicted Thornton.

The court heard Thornton has 38 previous convictions, including those for assault, criminal damage, misuse of drugs, burglary, robbery, theft and threats to kill. His most recent conviction was under the Misuse of Drugs Act on 16 May 2025.

The court heard that Thornton also has other matters pending before the Circuit Court, where he has already entered pleas.

Judge Watkin adjourned sentencing in this case to 3 November, to be finalised alongside the Circuit Court matters.