Dublin man (25) pleads guilty to assaulting Somali man near GPO after immigration demo

Tom Tuite

A 25-year-old Dublin man has admitted to attacking a Somali national in a suspected racially motivated incident near the GPO following an immigration demonstration.

Jason Bonney, of Cromlech Court, Poppintree, appeared at Dublin District Court on Friday.

Judge Michele Finan heard that the Director of Public Prosecutions stated that Bonney's case should be transferred to the Circuit Court, with wider sentencing powers, if he contested the case.

However, his defence solicitor, Tracey Horan, confirmed he was pleading guilty the charges: assault causing harm and possessing cocaine for his own use.

Judge Finan accepted jurisdiction to hear the case at the District Court level.

Garda Sonia Buggey gave evidence that on May 7th, 2024, officers on patrol were "flagged down" by the victim, who was "hiding behind pillars of the GPO".

The man reported to Garda Buggey that he had been set upon shortly beforehand.

He told officers his attacker was "shouting racist remarks" and tried to take his phone as he was searching for a hostel.

He pleaded with the suspect to leave him alone. The court was told he was punched in the face multiple times by Bonney, sustaining a swollen cheek.

Garda Buggey described the victim as frightened. The man stated that a friend of the accused had stood around and watched the attack.

He also said that he believed the assault was connected to an immigration demonstration held in the vicinity earlier that day.

Garda Buggey said the victim told her that it scared him and he had no choice but to be on O'Connell Street because he was looking for a hostel.

"I am sure that this was an act of racism against me," were the man's words in his report to the garda.

He could still see the suspect in the area, standing further down the street with his friends. After alerting gardaí he accompanied them in a van to point out and formally identify his attacker.

Bonney, who remained silent throughout the hearing, is already serving a sentence for other crimes. He was granted free legal aid.

Judge Finan adjourned sentencing to allow time for the defendant's full criminal record to be obtained and presented to the court.

The judge also requested that a victim impact statement be prepared, stressing that he is welcome to attend the sentence hearing next Friday.