Man to face court after state buildings in Dublin targeted in ramming incidents

A man in his 40s was detained.

The scene after a vehicle drove into gates at Government Buildings in Dublin. A Garda statement said: “Gardai were alerted to a single-vehicle road traffic collision on Merrion Street Upper, Dublin 2 at approximately 2.30am on Friday 2nd August 2024 “The driver of the vehicle, a male in his 40s, was arrested on suspicion of offences under the Road Traffic Act. He is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 at a Garda station in Dublin city”. Picture date: Friday August 2, 2024. (PA Wire)

A man is set to appear in court after several landmark state buildings in Dublin were targeted in a series of overnight ramming incidents.

A white van was seized after damage was caused to the gates of Government Buildings; the adjacent back gate of the parliament at Leinster House; the official residence of President Michael D Higgins in Phoenix Park; and the Custom House, where the Department of Housing is located.

A man in his 40s was detained after the last of the incidents at Government Buildings/Leinster House on Merrion Street.

It is understood gardai are linking the incidents at the various city locations but have ruled out any terror-related motive.

On Merrion Street, a number of the gates were significantly damaged, including those at the Department of the Taoiseach at Government Buildings.

A gate at the Attorney General’s office was lying off its hinges on Friday morning.

The gate at the rear of Leinster House also sustained damaged.

It is understood the man was arrested near the scene of those incidents.

A damaged white van was towed away from the area at around 8.20am.

Garda commissioner Drew Harris was seen observing the damage in a Garda car driven slowly past Government Buildings shortly before 10am.

Elsewhere in the city, the gates of the president’s residence at Aras an Uachtarain were cordoned off on Friday morning after the overnight ramming incident.

Some damage was also caused at the gates of the Custom House close to the River Liffey.

On Friday night a Garda spokesperson said: “The man arrested in connection with this incident remains in Garda custody and is scheduled to appear before Dublin District Court, Criminal Courts of Justice No. 2, at 10:30 am tomorrow morning, Saturday August 3 2024, charged in connection with the case.”