Thursday 5 November 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. 30195Criminal damage (vandalism) · Co. Dublin · 5 Sep 2021

Criminal damage at St Finian's Church ruins in Lucan under investigation

Graffiti was daubed on the St Finian's Church ruins in Esker, Lucan, County Dublin, over the weekend of 4 and 5 September 2021. The medieval church is a protected structure, and Gardaí became aware of the incident after a number of reports. Sinn Féin Councillor Derren Ó Brádaigh condemned the attack, and South Dublin County Council committed in writing to arrange removal of the graffiti, forwarding the request to a specialised contractor. No arrest or charge is recorded, and the case remains under investigation.

  1. Reported6 Sep
  2. Arrested
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Graffiti was daubed over the St Finian's Church ruins, a medieval church.
Where
The church ruins are in Esker, Lucan, County Dublin.
When
The vandalism took place over the weekend of 4 and 5 September 2021.
Investigation
Gardaí are aware of the incident following a number of reports.
Other details
  • The medieval church is a protected structure.
  • The site had recently undergone restorative works.
  • Sinn Féin Councillor Derren Ó Brádaigh condemned the incident as an attack on local heritage.
  • South Dublin County Council committed in writing to arrange removal of the graffiti.
  • The request for specialised graffiti removal was forwarded to a specialised contractor.
8 statements extracted from the articles
  • whenThe vandalism took place over the weekend of 4–5 September 2021 (dublinlive.ie)
  • investigationGardaí are aware of the incident following a number of reports (dublinlive.ie)
  • otherThe medieval church is a protected structure (dublinlive.ie)
  • otherSinn Féin Councillor Derren Ó Brádaigh condemned the incident as an attack on local heritage (dublinlive.ie)
  • otherThe site had recently undergone restorative works (dublinlive.ie)
  • otherSouth Dublin County Council committed in writing to arrange removal of the graffiti (dublinlive.ie)
  • otherThe request for specialised graffiti removal was forwarded to a specialised contractor (dublinlive.ie)
  • otherLucan was awarded tourism destination town status by Failte Ireland (dublinlive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 6 Sep2021
    Reporteddublinlive.ie, first report
    'Appalling' graffiti attack on historic heritage site slammed by community

    First report of the graffiti attack; councillor condemnation; council commitment to arrange specialised removal.