'Very strange' - former Meta worker admits assaulting security guard at Dublin HQ amid row over fake dating profile

"Gardaí said security staff at the building had become aware of Fernandez after spotting him lingering around the site and monitored him on CCTV for some time. The court heard Fernandez ran towards the building's pedestrian entrance off Merrion Road, where a member of the security team attempted to speak to him. Fernandez then began swinging his arms towards the security worker, who retreated, moved backwards and fell, hitting his head on the ground."

"The defendant was then restrained inside the main building by a number of security staff. Gardaí said staff at the premises did not know Fernandez or why he was there, and had only observed him hanging around the site. Judge Anne Watkin heard that on the day of the incident, Fernandez was no longer employed by the company and was not entitled to be on the premises."

"Defence solicitor, Patricia Camilon, said her client had ongoing issues with a former colleague at Meta and believed arrangements had been made to meet her on the day in question. She told the court that a photograph of Fernandez had been taken by the woman and allegedly used without his permission to create a false dating profile. She said Fernandez had reported the matter to gardaí but nothing came of it and submitted he had turned up at the premises as a last resort."

Leonardo Fernandez, 29, of Kilmore Avenue, Coolock, pleaded guilty to assaulting a security worker and a public order offence on December 30, 2024 at Meta' Ballsbridge in Dublin 4. Security staff monitored Fernandez on CCTV after spotting him lingering near the site. Fernandez ran toward the building's pedestrian entrance, swung his arms at a security worker who retreated, fell and hit his head, and was then restrained inside the main building by several security staff. Defence counsel said Fernandez believed he was meeting a former colleague and alleged a photograph had been used to create a false dating profile. Fernandez reported the matter to gardaí; he has no previous convictions. The case was adjourned for a probation report and a victim impact statement.

Read at Irish Independent