BREAKING: Up to 14 men involved in alleged damage to homes, vans and cars at Kildare halting site

Up to 14 men were involved in an alleged incident at a halting site during which windows in homes, vans and cars were smashed.

It was further claimed that a vehicle was set alight.

Before Naas District Court were Philip Bowes, 31, whose address was given as 353 L Block, Oliver Bond House, Dublin 8 on three alleged counts of criminal damage on 13-14 October, 2025, and Luke Benson, 29, whose address was  given as 6 The Glebe, Esker, Lucan on on two alleged counts of criminal damage on 13-14 October, 2025.

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Detective Garda Scott Brown said the incident arose after a French Bulldog, also referred to as a French Pitbull went missing from the River Barrow on October 12.

Mr Bowes admitted he owned the four year old dog and said its loss had a traumatic effect on him and his family.

He said gardaí got a call about an incident at Ardrew halting site in Athy. It was alleged that the dog had been stolen and it was believed that Travellers had possession of the animal.

It would be alleged that two men checked into a guesthouse over a pub in the square in Athy and one of the defendants was identified after CCTV footage was secured.

Det Gda Brown said the guests were “boasting to staff that they intended to burn out the halting site the following day and there would be war if the dog was not returned."

He also said there was an objection to bail because of the alleged risk of intimidation of witnesses and possibility of further incidents.

It was further alleged that Mr Bowes said “look out for the fire” and there were young children in one of the houses.

He said the incident occurred at the site following the arrival of four vehicles

He alleged there was a separate incident at a house outside Athy and the people living there had nothing to do with the missing dog. In this incident three cars arrived and windows were broken, though Mr Benson was not alleged to have been involved.

After a number of submissions by barristers Donncha Craddock and Mark Gibbons representing the defendants, Judge Desmond Zaidan declined to grant bail.

He said both defendants are presumed innocent but the objections to bail are sustainable in law.

The case was adjourned to December 17.