Andy Donohue (19) “came under the influence of some extremely racist people”, his defence counsel told Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on Tuesday.

A man was arrested as armed gardaí seized several petrol bombs in north Dublin on Monday

A sitting of Naas District Court heard lives were saved, and serious injuries were avoided after gardaí foiled an alleged arson attack.

He was arrested and charged, and has appeared before a sitting of Naas District Court on Tuesday morning.

Two homes were damaged in petrol bomb attacks in the Co Antrim town and another incident is being treated as a racially motivated hate crime.

Petrol bombs were thrown at members of the media and a van was set on fire