Wicklow man charged with posting false claims about asylum seeker exposing himself on a bus
Seán McCárthaigh
A Wicklow man has appeared in court in relation to a social media post allegedly containing false claims that an asylum seeker based at an IPAS centre had exposed himself on a bus to a teenage girl.
Kirk Loco (44) of Waverly Meadow, Rathnew, Co Wicklow, appeared before a sitting of Bray District Court on Monday on a charge of distributing or publishing a threatening or grossly offensive communication about an individual, known only as MM, with intent to cause harm.
The alleged offence was a social media post published by the accused on June 21st, 2024.
Garda Emma Jane Doyle gave evidence of arresting Mr Loco at his home at 7.05am on Monday.
She told the court that the accused was brought to Bray Garda Station and formally charged at 8.03am.
Garda Doyle said Mr Loco made no reply to the charge after being cautioned.
She confirmed to Judge David Kennedy that gardaí had no objection to bail for the defendant.
However, Garda Doyle said gardaí were seeking to impose a bail condition that the accused keep away from IPAS centres and not attend any protests or demonstrations.
She also informed the court that the DPP had directed that the charge could be dealt with summarily at District Court level.
Defence counsel, Ciara O’Brien BL, applied for legal aid for her client on the basis that he is in receipt of €250 per week.
Judge Kennedy said he would reserve a decision on the application until Mr Loco had filed a statement of his means.
He remanded the accused on bail to appear before the same court on December 8th when a plea could be entered or a date fixed for a hearing of the case.
Mr Loco is charged with an offence contrary to Section 4 (1) and 4 (3) of the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020.
The legislation, which is known colloquially as Coco’s Law, was implemented in response to the tragic death of Nicole “Coco” Fox who died by suicide in 2018 after enduring severe online abuse and bullying.
The alleged social media post published by Mr Loco on June 21st, 2024, claimed an intoxicated migrant living in Trudder House, Newtownmountkennedy, Co Wicklow, had exposed himself to a 14-year-old girl on a 133 bus the previous evening.
The post, which contained a photo of a male asleep on a bus, encouraged others to share the details of the alleged incident.
It also stated that anyone who welcomed such men to Newtownmountkennedy or made donations or promoted togetherness and integration of them into the local community were to blame.
They were also accused of “cheering on pedophilia (sic).”
The post also tagged a number of high-profile anti-immigrant activists.
