A 41-year-old man has been remanded in custody by a Dublin court following his arrest in connection with a petrol bomb attack on a mosque in the city centre. Saeid Khosroabadi appeared before Judge Michele Finan at the Dublin District Court on Wednesday, charged in relation to the blaze at the doorway of the Faizan E Madinah Mosque on Talbot Street.
Court Proceedings and Bail Objections
Irish police confirmed that Khosroabadi was arrested after an investigation into the incident. During the hearing, Judge Finan noted police objections to bail on the grounds of the seriousness of the offence. The accused had no legal representation due to an ongoing industrial action by solicitors over legal aid reforms, according to RTE.
Solicitor Tracy Horan informed the court that she could not represent Khosroabadi because of the dispute. In a show of solidarity, approximately 60 solicitors present walked out of the courtroom in support of the industrial action.
Bail Refused and Case Transferred
Police formally objected to bail, and Judge Finan refused the application, remanding Khosroabadi in custody. He is scheduled to appear at Cloverhill District Court on July 8. The judge also declined jurisdiction over the case, sending it to the Circuit Court. She directed the Director of Public Prosecutions to prepare a book of evidence.
Condemnation from Irish Muslim Council
The Irish Muslim Council issued a strong condemnation of the attack, stating: "The Irish Muslim Council strongly condemns the shocking arson attack on a mosque on Talbot Street in Dublin city centre. The reported petrol bomb attack, carried out on a Monday afternoon in broad daylight, is a deeply disturbing assault on a place of worship and an attack on the fundamental values of peace, religious freedom and community safety that Ireland holds dear."
The council also highlighted the broader context of rising anti-Muslim sentiment, warning: "The Irish Muslim Council has repeatedly warned about the growing threat posed by anti-Muslim hatred and far-right extremism. The attack demonstrates that when hatred is normalised and incitement is left unchecked, the consequences can be grave."
Call for Investigation and Action
The council called on police to "conduct a thorough investigation and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice." It further urged "political leaders, social media companies and all sectors of society to confront hate speech, organised intimidation and extremist propaganda before further violence occurs."
