Wednesday 28 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. 5071Criminal damage · Co. Dublin

Garda manhunt after hammer attacks on Dublin Bus depot and Department of Transport

A man used a hammer to smash windows and doors at the Dublin Bus depot in Phibsboro and is suspected of a similar attack at the Department of Transport on the same day. Gardaí launched a manhunt and are investigating whether the same person carried out both attacks.

  1. Reported25 Sep
    2 reports
  2. Arrested
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
23 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA man used a hammer to smash windows and doors at the Dublin Bus depot. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe man is also suspected of a similar attack at the Department of Transport on the same day. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatA man used a hammer to smash windows and doors at the Dublin Bus depot in Phibsboro (dublinlive.ie)
  • whatThe damage is estimated to cost thousands to repair (dublinlive.ie)
  • whatThe man was heard exclaiming a phrase before running off (dublinlive.ie)
  • whatA similar hammer attack occurred at the Department of Transport on Leeson Lane in Dublin's city centre (dublinlive.ie)
  • whereThe attacker smashed windows and doors at the Dublin Bus depot in Phibsboro. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereAt the Department of Transport, windows on the ground floor of the Department building on Leeson Lane were smashed. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe attack at the depot happened on a Tuesday afternoon at around 3pm. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe attack at the depot occurred at around 3pm on Tuesday afternoon (dublinlive.ie)
  • causeThere are fears that the man had a personal grudge with Dublin Bus. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationGardaí launched a manhunt for the suspect. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationGardaí are investigating whether the same individual carried out both attacks. (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
  • investigationGardaí launched a manhunt which is still underway (dublinlive.ie)
  • investigationOfficers are examining whether the suspect had any prior connection to the Department or Dublin Bus (dublinlive.ie)
  • otherThe man was dressed in overalls and took a hammer out of a bag. (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
  • otherOnlookers heard the man exclaim that he should have done it years ago. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe damage is estimated to cost thousands of euro to repair. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherOfficials at the Department are reviewing security measures. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherTemporary repair works have been carried out at the Department building. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThere are fears the man had a personal grudge with Dublin Bus (dublinlive.ie)
  • otherThe Department of Transport confirmed repair works have been undertaken and the incident is under investigation (dublinlive.ie)
  • otherSecurity arrangements at the Department of Transport are being reviewed (dublinlive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 25 Sep2024
    Reporteddublinlive.ie, follow-up
    Garda manhunt launched as CCTV captures hammer attack at Dublin bus depot

    Initial report of the hammer attacks and the ongoing Garda manhunt; no suspect identified or arrested.

    suspect, male
  2. 25 Sep2024
    Reportedirishmirror.ie, first report
    CCTV shows moment man smashes up windows and doors at Dublin Bus depot

    Original report of the attacks, with CCTV still of the suspect, the department's comment on security reviews, and the possible personal grudge.

    suspect, male