Man appears in court after several gates at state buildings damaged

David O’Callaghan, from Co Wicklow, has been charged with five counts of criminal damage.

Garda at the scene after a vehicle drove into gates at Government Buildings in Dublin (Cate McCurry/PA) (PA Wire)

A man has appeared in court charged in connection with incidents of criminal damage at several landmark state buildings in Dublin.

David O’Callaghan, from The Fairways, Woodbrook Glen, Bray in Co Wicklow, appeared at Dublin District Court on Saturday charged with five counts of criminal damage.

The 40-year-old is accused of causing damage to the entrance gate at the official residence of President Michael D Higgins in Phoenix Park, a gate at Custom House, a gate to Government Buildings, the back gate of Leinster House and the entrance gate to the Department of the Taoiseach.

The court was told that at about 2.15am on Friday, a white van approached the entrance gates to the Aras an Uachtarain and made a u-turn, before reversing into the white gates and driving off.

The court heard that that around 4,750 euro worth of damage was caused.

The van then drove and went to Custom House at around 2.26am and swerved without warning and collided with the side gates. The driver made a second attempt to drive at the gates which caused further damage.

The van then made its way to Merrion Street and arrived at 2.30am, where it rammed three entrance gates belonging to state buildings.

The van swerved into the rear gates of Leinster House, gates at Government Buildings and a third set of gates at the Department of Taoiseach.

The court was told severe damage was caused to the gate outside the Attorney General’s office on the North Road, when the gate came off its hinges at an unmanned military post.

The final incident happened outside the Department of the Taoiseach when the van swerved into the gate, causing it to buckle inwards.

The airbags on the van deployed and the vehicle became immobile.

The court was told that the incidents have been captured on CCTV and the van could be seen swerving to avoid other motorists.

The damage caused to the state building on Merrion Street will cost tens of thousands of euro.

Garda William McCarthy told the court that the accused was arrested at the scene and made no reply when charged at a garda station.

Mr McCarthy also said that the accused could face additional charges.

Defence barrister Karl Monahan made an application for bail, which gardai objected to.

Judge William Aylmer said there was no sufficient evidence to refuse bail outright.

Judge Aylmer remanded the accused in custody with consent to bail, subject to several conditions, including an independent surety of 5,000 euro. The judge said that 1,500 euro must be lodged.

The accused has been ordered not to contact any public representatives and stay out of the city centre and Phoenix Park and remain contactable at all times.

The accused remained silent for the majority of the appearance.

He will appear before Cloverhill court on Thursday.