A Dublin man has been accused of using Grindr to target and violently rob gay men in Dundalk. Michael Quinn, aged 24, was arrested on Friday, July 21, and charged with two counts of robbery and one attempted robbery, with the incidents said to have taken place over three dates across June and July of this year.
The suspect was brought before Dublin District Court on Saturday, July 22, with Judge Brendan Toale setting bail at €1,000 and ordering Quinn to obey strict conditions, including staying out of Dundalk except for when attending scheduled hearings.
According to The Journal, Garda Siobhan McCoy objected to bail based on the seriousness of the case. She told the court that the first alleged offence took place on June 24, when a man claims that he met the suspect through Grindr and invited him to his home.
Once inside, Quinn is reported to have “produced a knife” and threatened the victim to get his bank card. The man was then instructed to get in his own car, where the accused allegedly drove him to an ATM to make a withdrawal. The victim is said to have “jumped out and raised the alarm” before the accused allegedly drove off, stealing the man’s two mobile phones, bank card and wallet.
Another incident is said to have taken place on July 18, when the Dublin man allegedly used Grindr to meet another target in an alley in the town and rob him. It was claimed that Quinn once again “produced a knife and attacked the injured party,” putting him in a headlock and demanding his phone. The victim suffered a cut on his face but was able to escape and notify Gardaí.
A third man similarly said he met Quinn through Grindr on July 20. The suspect is said to have gotten into the victim’s car, and once at a cul-de-sac, he “pulled out a knife and demanded cash and bank cards,” the garda alleged.
The man is said to have handed over €60 and his bank card before escaping, and the accused reportedly left the scene on foot.
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Defence counsel Kevin McCrave said that his client denies the charges but will obey the bail terms and stay at his family home in Cara Close, Priorswood, Coolock, rather than his Dundalk residence, where he has lived with his girlfriend since last September.
The judge remanded Quinn in custody with consent to bail to appear at Dundalk District Court on Wednesday, July 26.
For advice on how to stay safe when using dating or hook-up apps, check out these helpful tips from MPOWER.
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