Wicklow man must enter plea at next court date over false claims about asylum seeker exposing himself to teen
Seán McCárthaigh
A Wicklow man charged with making false claims online that an asylum seeker had exposed himself on a bus to a teenage girl has been told he must enter a plea at his next court appearance in February.
Kirk Loco (44) of Waverly Meadow, Rathnew, Co Wicklow, has been accused of distributing or publishing a threatening or grossly offensive communication about a resident of an IPAS centre, known only as MM, with the intent to cause harm.
The alleged offence was a social media post published by the accused on June 21st, 2024.
At a sitting of Bray District Court on Monday, Judge Áine Shannon heard that there had been “quite extensive disclosure” in the case which would be provided to the accused within the next week.
Counsel for Mr Loco, Sorcha Dianamh Ní Néill Fulham BL, applied for free legal aid for the defendant on the basis that although working he had “substantial” mortgage repayments.
Ms Ní Néill Fulham informed the court that the accused earns a weekly salary of €700.
Judge Shannon granted the application for free legal aid backdated to his first court appearance on November 3 on the basis there was no objection from the prosecution and a statement of means provided by Mr Loco.
The judge remanded the accused, who was accompanied to court by a group of around ten supporters, on continuing bail to appear before the same court on February 16, 2026.
On that date, Judge Shannon said a plea should be entered or a date would be fixed for a hearing.
At a previous sitting last month, the court heard Mr Loco made no reply to the charge after being cautioned.
Gardaí also sought a bail condition that the accused keep away from IPAS centres and does not attend any demonstrations or protests.
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.
