A 20-year-old man, Evan Moore, has been sentenced to three years’ imprisonment for his role in igniting a fire on a Luas tram during the violent Dublin riots of November 2023, which caused almost €5 million in damage.
The events in question unfolded on 23 November 2023, following a shocking stabbing outside a primary school at Parnell Square in which a five-year-old girl was critically injured and a crèche worker also badly wounded. In the wake of that attack, tensions heightened—false rumours and social media rumours stoked anger and unrest, and an anti-immigrant crowd gathered in Dublin's city centre, escalating into full-blown rioting.
Moore pleaded guilty to rioting, arson, and damaging property when he appeared before the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. According to court reports, his actions included moving a burning bin onto the tram and breaking windows. His period of involvement—as captured on CCTV and compiled footage—spanned about 35 minutes, between 7:05 pm and 7:40 pm that evening.
In delivering sentence, Judge Orla Crowe characterised Moore as “an immature young man who allowed himself to be whipped up by social media.” The judge observed that Moore didn’t need to enter the city centre that night but chose to participate in the chaos, and said such choices merit custodial punishment.
Originally, the judge imposed a headline sentence of eight years, but reduced it to four years, taking into account mitigating factors: Moore was 18 at the time of the riot, had no prior convictions, pleaded guilty, came from a stable family, and was in the middle of an apprenticeship. One year of that sentence was then suspended, provided he maintains good behaviour and falls under probation supervision.
The damage from the riots was extensive: besides the Luas tram itself, wiring and seats were ruined; the Luas service was suspended for 24 hours. In the surrounding area, property damage was also significant — some €115,000 estimated for local buildings, plus €159,000 spent by council workers in cleanup.
During sentencing, the court also reflected on Moore’s later behaviour: months after the riot, he was observed at an anti-immigration demonstration in Dublin city centre. When questioned by Gardaí, he admitted being in town that day and in time made further admissions connecting him to the riot. The judge flagged this pattern as worrying.
Phone records introduced in court revealed messages between Moore and his mother during the riot evening. She had texted him: “Scumbags wrecking their own city.” Then later: “Get out before it is too late and something happens.” At a final plea, she wrote: “Please, please leave Evan….my heart is racing.”
Moore’s defence pointed to his youthful impressionability, the sway of online incitement, and his apprenticeship in electrical work. He’s also completed an anti-racism course since the offenses.
The Dublin riots of 2023 stand as one of the most violent episodes in modern Irish history, with widespread arson, looting, and assaults on Gardaí. At their peak, as many as 500 rioters were active, multiple buses and Garda vehicles were torched or damaged, and at least one Luas tram was destroyed. The cost to public infrastructure and urban repair has been enormous.
This sentencing marks a notable moment in the long trail of legal consequences following the riots. It sends a clear message about accountability, even for young people swept into mass unrest. The broader investigation continues, with dozens arrested or charged in connection to that night.
