Thursday 29 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 6927Criminal damage; dangerous driving · Co. Dublin · 15 Dec 2023

Carer granted bail after alleged ramming of garda car in Dublin city centre

On Friday 15 December 2023, shortly after midday, a garda patrol car was allegedly rammed twice on Brunswick Street (also spelled Brundwick), Dublin 7, and two gardaí, including Garda Barrett, were taken to hospital. The man arrested, Declan Murphy, 48, a homeless shelter carer, was charged with two counts of criminal damage and dangerous driving. On Saturday 16 December 2023 he appeared at Dublin District Court, where he answered "no comment" to each charge, and Judge Brendan Toale granted him bail on a €100 bond with conditions. The latest development is that he must appear again on 4 January 2024 pending directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrested15 Dec
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court15 Dec
    2 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • A garda patrol car was allegedly rammed from the rear and then rammed again on the driver's side.
  • It is understood that another vehicle struck the garda car.
Weapon
The alleged ramming vehicle was a black 2020-reg Renault Cleo.
Where
The incident was on Brunswick Street, Dublin 7, also spelled Brundwick Street; the charges relate to North Brunswick Street, Dublin 7.
When
The incident happened on Friday 15 December 2023, shortly after midday.
Other details
  • Two gardaí were taken to the Mater hospital (also given as Master Misericordiae Hospital) for neck and back pain and were discharged that night.
  • The accused is described as a homeless shelter carer, aged 48, of Greenwood, Ayrfield, Dublin.
  • Murphy's solicitor said his client works part-time and would abide by any bail conditions.
Investigation
  • The accused waited at the scene and gave gardaí his licence, and investigating gardaí arrested Declan Murphy, 48.
  • Murphy was detained at a Garda station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984, and investigations are ongoing.
Charges
Murphy was charged with two counts of criminal damage and dangerous driving.
In court
  • Murphy was brought before Judge Brendan Toale at Dublin District Court on Saturday 16 December 2023 and answered "no comment" to each charge.
  • Gardaí objected to bail due to the seriousness of the case and possible witness interference, but the judge granted bail on a €100 bond.
  • Bail conditions require Murphy to give gardaí his phone number, sign on daily at Raheny Garda station, stay out of parts of north Dublin except for work or visits to his parents, and have no contact with Garda Barrett.
  • Murphy must appear again on 4 January 2024 pending directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions.
28 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA garda patrol car was rammed. (dublinlive.ie)
  • whatAnother vehicle is understood to have struck the garda car. (dublinlive.ie)
  • whatA homeless shelter carer allegedly pursued and twice rammed a garda car in Dublin city centre. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe two gardaí were taken to hospital for treatment for neck and back pain. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe driver of a black 2020-reg Renault Cleo allegedly rammed the garda car from the rear, then pursued it and rammed it a second time on the driver's side. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe accused waited at the scene and gave gardaí his licence. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe incident was on Brundwick Street, Dublin 7. (garda.ie)
  • whereThe incident happened on Brunswick Street in Dublin 7. (dublinlive.ie)
  • whereThe charged offences relate to North Brunswick Street, Dublin 7. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe incident happened on Friday, 15 December 2023. (garda.ie)
  • whenThe incident happened shortly after midday on 15 December 2023. (dublinlive.ie)
  • whenThe incident happened on a Friday just after midday. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe man is detained at a Garda station in North Dublin under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984. (dublinlive.ie)
  • investigationInvestigations are ongoing. (dublinlive.ie)
  • investigationInvestigating gardaí arrested Declan Murphy, 48. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeA man in his 40s has been charged. (garda.ie)
  • chargeA man in his 40s was arrested for an offence under the Criminal Damage Act 1991. (dublinlive.ie)
  • chargeMurphy was charged with two counts of criminal damage and dangerous driving. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe man is due to appear before the Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin on Saturday 16 December 2023. (garda.ie)
  • courtMurphy was brought before Judge Brendan Toale at Dublin District Court on Saturday. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtMurphy answered "no comment" when each charge was put to him. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtGardaí objected to bail due to the seriousness of the case and possible witness interference. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtMurphy must give his phone number to gardaí, sign on daily at Raheny Garda station, stay out of parts of north Dublin except for work or visits to his parents, and have no contact with Garda Barrett. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtMurphy must appear again on January 4th pending directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe incident resulted in injury to two Garda members. (garda.ie)
  • otherTwo gardaí were taken to hospital to receive medical treatment. (dublinlive.ie)
  • otherMurphy's solicitor said his client, who works part-time, would abide by any conditions. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe judge granted bail on a €100 bond. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 16 Dec2023
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Carer who allegedly pursued and rammed garda car granted bail

    Court report on the bail hearing. Accused charged with two counts of criminal damage and dangerous driving, granted bail on a €100 bond with conditions, and due back on January 4th pending DPP directions.

    accused, Declan Murphy, 48, male, named, irish (judged from name)Declan Murphyvictim, Philip Carroll, male, irish (judged from name)Philip Carrollvictim, Shane Barrett, male, irish (judged from name)Shane Barrett
  2. 15 Dec2023
    Arresteddublinlive.ie, follow-up
    Two gardai injured in ramming incident in Dublin city centre

    First report of the incident. Adds that a man in his 40s was arrested at the scene, that the gardaí were taken to hospital, and that the arrest was under the Criminal Damage Act 1991.

    victimvictimsuspect, 40s, male
  3. 15 Dec2023
    In courtgarda.ie, follow-up
    Court Appearance - Incident on Brundwick Street, Dublin 7 - 15th December 2023

    Gardaí confirm the man (40s) has been charged and give the court date of 16 December 2023. The article does not name him or give the exact charge.

    suspect, 40s, male