Man Appears in Court Over Alleged False Social Media Post About Asylum Seeker

A man has appeared in court charged in connection with the alleged sharing of false information on social media relating to an international protection applicant.

A 44-year-old man has appeared in court charged in connection with the alleged online circulation of false and harmful claims about an international protection applicant.

Kirk Loco, of Waverly Meadow, Rathnew, Co Wicklow, appeared before Judge David Kennedy at Bray District Court on Monday morning.

Mr Loco faces a charge of distributing or publishing a communication that was “threatening or grossly offensive” with the alleged intent to cause harm. The charge is brought under the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020.

According to Garda evidence, Mr Loco was arrested early on Monday and taken to Bray Garda Station, where the charge was formally put to him before his court appearance.

He was later released on bail and is due to reappear before the same court on December 8th.

The case centres on material that was allegedly posted on social media in June 2024. The content reportedly included a photograph of a man sleeping on a bus travelling to Newtownmountkennedy, Co Wicklow.

The accompanying post falsely claimed that the man, described as a migrant, had exposed himself to women and girls during the journey before falling asleep.

It was further alleged that the individual shown in the image was an international protection applicant residing at Trudder House, on the outskirts of Newtownmountkennedy.