David O'Callaghan pleads guilty to ramming gates at Leinster House, Áras An Uachtaráin and Customs House
David O'Callaghan, a 41-year-old man, drove a white Ford Transit van and rammed into gates at Leinster House, Áras An Uachtaráin and Customs House in Dublin on 2 August 2024, causing €60,000 in total damage. He told gardaí he had consumed alcohol and cocaine that evening and said he had been communicating with President Michael D Higgins. At Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 10 April 2025, he pleaded guilty to driving into a rear gate at Leinster House and to two counts of criminal damage to gates at Áras An Uachtaráin and Customs House. The court heard he was suffering from a paranoid delusion at the time and has since been diagnosed with schizophrenia. Sentencing was adjourned to 6 May 2025, with Probation Services directed to prepare supervision conditions.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Convicted10 Apr
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- He drove a white Ford Transit van and rammed into gates at Leinster House, Áras An Uachtaráin and Customs House, causing €60,000 in total damage.
- He did a sweeping U-turn in front of the entrance gates of Áras An Uachtaráin before reversing into them, breaching them.
- Over €52,000 damage was caused to the gates at Leinster House, repairs to the Áras An Uachtaráin gates cost €4,795, and approximately €2,000 damage was caused at Customs House.
- He told gardaí he had consumed alcohol and cocaine earlier that evening and said he had been communicating with President Michael D Higgins about the poisoning.
- He was assessed by the psychological team at Cloverhill Prison, treated as an involuntary in-patient at a psychiatric facility in Dublin, and has since been diagnosed with schizophrenia.
- He has most recently been working as a kitchen porter.
- Charges
- He pleaded guilty to driving into a rear gate at Leinster House and to two counts of criminal damage to gates at Phoenix Lodge at Áras An Uachtaráin and at Customs House.
- In court
- At Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 10 April 2025, the court heard he was suffering from a paranoid delusion at the time of the incident.
- Defence counsel asked the court not to impose an immediate custodial sentence.
- Sentencing was adjourned to 6 May 2025, with Probation Services directed to prepare supervision conditions.
- When
- The incident occurred on 2 August 2024.
- Where
- The incident took place in Dublin, at Leinster House, Áras An Uachtaráin and Customs House.
11 statements extracted from the articles
- whatHe caused €60,000 worth of damage in total. (irishtimes.com)
- whatHe did a sweeping U-turn in front of the entrance gates of Áras An Uachtaráin before reversing into them, breaching them. (irishtimes.com)
- whatRepairs to the Áras An Uachtaráin gates cost €4,795. (irishtimes.com)
- whatApproximately €2,000 worth of damage was caused at Customs House. (irishtimes.com)
- whatOver €52,000 damage was caused to the gates at Leinster House. (irishtimes.com)
- whatHe told gardaí he had consumed alcohol and cocaine earlier that evening. (irishtimes.com)
- whatHe said he had been communicating with President Michael D Higgins about the poisoning. (irishtimes.com)
- whatHe was assessed by the psychological team at Cloverhill Prison and treated as an involuntary in-patient at a psychiatric facility in Dublin. (irishtimes.com)
- whatHe has most recently been working as a kitchen porter. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeHe pleaded to two counts of criminal damage to gates at Phoenix Lodge at Áras An Uachtaráin and at Customs House on the same date. (irishtimes.com)
- courtDefence counsel asked the court not to impose an immediate custodial sentence. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 10 Apr2025Man who rammed gates at Leinster House ‘suffering from paranoid delusion’, court hears
First court appearance: guilty plea entered, psychiatric evidence presented (schizophrenia, paranoid delusion), defence requested no immediate custodial sentence; sentencing adjourned to 6 May 2025 with Probation Services directed to prepare supervision conditions.
convicted, 41, male, irish (judged from name)