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. 5590Criminal damage · Co. Meath · 21 Jun 2024

Garda's home in Co Meath attacked with boulder while family was inside

On Friday 21 June 2024, just before 5pm, a boulder was thrown through the living room window of the Co Meath home of Garda Christopher Lynch while his wife and young children were inside, damaging the inside and outside of the house. Gardaí believe two people carried out the attack after surveillance of the family home, and suspect they learned from social media that Garda Lynch was at the Donegal International Rally. No arrests or charges have been reported. The latest development, reported on 27 June 2024, is that gardaí are investigating the attack as criminal damage and appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage.

  1. Reported27 Jun
  2. Arrested
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
The home of Garda Christopher Lynch was attacked, causing damage to the inside and outside of the house.
Where
The attack happened at the family home in Co Meath.
When
The attack happened on Friday 21 June 2024, just before 5pm.
Weapon
A boulder was thrown through the living room window.
Cause
The main line of investigation is revenge against Garda Lynch over his roads-policing role.
Other details
  • Garda Lynch's wife and young children were inside the house at the time.
  • Gardaí believe the attackers carried out surveillance of the family home before the attack, including earlier that day.
  • Gardaí suspect the attackers learned from social media that Garda Lynch was in Donegal with the car.
  • Garda Lynch was attending the Donegal International Rally with a modified car in Garda livery at the time.
  • Gardaí believe two young men were involved, with one taking a boulder from a garden and throwing it while an accomplice drove him to and from the scene.
  • Some local people saw the attackers immediately after the incident.
Investigation
  • Gardaí are investigating the incident as criminal damage.
  • Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to come forward and for dashcam footage.
17 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe attack caused damage to the inside and outside of the house. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe attack is suspected to have been carried out by two people. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe home of a garda was attacked. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe attack happened at a property in Co Meath. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe attack happened on the Friday afternoon before the article. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenGardaí said the incident happened just before 5pm. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeThe main line of investigation is revenge against Garda Lynch over his roads-policing role. (irishtimes.com)
  • weaponA boulder was thrown through the living room window. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGardaí are investigating the incident as criminal damage. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGardaí are appealing for witnesses to come forward. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe garda's wife and young children were inside the house at the time. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherGardaí believe there was surveillance of the family home before the attack. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherGardaí suspect the attackers learned from social media that Garda Lynch was in Donegal with the car. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherTwo young men were involved in the attack. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherOne man took a boulder from a garden and threw it through the window, and an accomplice drove him to and from the scene. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe two men had carried out surveillance of the house earlier in the day. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherSome local people saw the attackers immediately after the incident. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 27 Jun2024
    Reportedirishtimes.com, first report
    Garda’s home attacked while wife and children present as he took hi-spec car to Donegal Rally

    First report of the attack on the home of Garda Christopher Lynch while he was at the Donegal International Rally. Gardaí are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage.

    victim, Christopher Lynch, irish (judged from name)Christopher Lynchvictimsuspect, malesuspect, male