Woman who set double decker bus on fire tells judge to ‘f*** off’ | World | News
A woman who set fire to a double-decker bus during the chaotic Dublin riots in 2023 has been jailed for six years, minutes after making an abusive rant at a judge. Leanne Kelly, 34, of no fixed abode, exploded in court after Judge Martina Baxter recommended the case be adjourned for the governor’s report and urine analysis. “Fuck you,” Kelly retorted, adding: “You won’t get any urine from me.”
Undaunted, the judge immediately proceeded to hand down the sentence. Kelly pleaded guilty to arson on the O’Connell Bridge during the riots on November 23, 2023. The bus, which luckily had no passengers on board, was completely destroyed in a fire that cost Dublin Bus £418,482 (€477,851).
CCTV footage shown in court recorded Kelly’s actions. He joined the crowd around the abandoned vehicle after looting the Circle K store with others. Earlier, rioters had punched the driver, threatened to kill him, and forced him off the bus; however, Kelly was not part of this group. The terrified driver fled on foot to Ringsend depot.
Kelly then tried to break the steering wheel, damaged the mirror and elbowed the glass. He took cardboard, lit it using flames from a nearby burning garda car – effectively using the police vehicle as an accelerant – and threw the burning material onto the bus. Detective Garda Barry Brennan confirmed he was the only person who started the fire.
The riots broke out after a stabbing attack on Parnell Street injured young children and a childcare worker. Kelly, who was homeless at the time and struggling with drug addiction, was “caught up” in the mayhem, RTE reported. His defense emphasized that he did not have any political aims, that he was under the influence of drugs and could not fully explain his behavior.
Kelly, who has 66 previous convictions including theft, robbery, assault causing harm and drug offences, was on bail when the riot broke out. He has been in custody since last year and is serving a sentence for assault.
Dublin Bus’ victim impact statement highlighted the trauma inflicted on staff. “Employees did not experience anything resembling violent, threatening or volatile behavior that day,” the statement said. Drivers, many from abroad, became targets and their morale was “deeply affected”. That night, eight vehicles were damaged, three were completely destroyed, resulting in a loss of close to 1.9 million Euros.
Defense barrister John Byrne SC submitted a handwritten apology letter describing Kelly’s bleak past: limited education, running away from home at 14. Kelly maintained that he deeply regrets participating in the “madness”.
Judge Baxter condemned Kelly’s “breathtaking and completely unwarranted” disdain for setting the bus on fire and said he had fostered a “mob mentality” with a disgraceful disregard for others. The incidents spread throughout the community and particularly affected Dublin Bus employees.
While the judge noted that Kelly’s courtroom demeanor contradicted his claims of remorse, he acknowledged that he was genuinely sorry. The six-year sentence was postponed until October 10, 2025, when the previous assault sentence expires.
This case highlights the lasting consequences of a night of lawlessness in Dublin city centre.
