A Dublin man has been accused of using the Grindr dating app to carry out a spate of violent knife robberies targetting gay men in Dundalk.
Michael Quinn, 24, of Cara Close, Priorswood, Coolock, is accused of two counts of robbery and one attempted robbery in the Co Louth town over three dates in June and July this year.
Gardaí arrested Mr Quinn on Friday and charged him ahead of his appearance before Judge Brendan Toale at Dublin District Court on Saturday.
Bail was set at €1,000, and he was ordered to obey strict conditions and to stay out of Dundalk unless for scheduled court appearances.
Garda Siobhan McCoy objected to bail due to the seriousness of the case.
Defence counsel Kevin McCrave said his client denies the charges but has offered to obey a list of strict bail terms. He said his client could live at his family home in Coolock and agreed to stay away from Dundalk.
He added that Mr Quinn, who has accepted he had gone to the UK previously, had evidence that he had been continuously living in this jurisdiction.
The court heard that he was attending counselling, was in a long-standing relationship with his girlfriend, and had lived in Dundalk with her since last September.
Counsel said this was not the trial of the underlying case and that the evidence given could not be cross-examined.
A refusal would see his client, who had the presumption of innocence, in custody for a considerable period before his trial, which may not be reached until 2025, counsel submitted.
Judge Toale set bail in Mr Quinn's bond of €1,000, of which half must be lodged.
He ordered him to surrender travel documents before release, and then he must reside at his address in Coolock, remain out of Dundalk save for court hearings, and sign on daily at his local garda station.
Judge Toale remanded the accused, who did not give evidence at the bail hearing, in custody with consent to bail to appear at Dundalk District Court on Wednesday.
Legal aid was granted.
