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. 5944Dangerous driving; criminal damage · Co. Dublin · 7 Mar 2022

Man acquitted of dangerous driving over Russian Embassy gates protest in Dublin

A man reversed a truck into the gates of the Russian Embassy on Orwell Road, Rathgar, Dublin, on March 7th, 2022, in a protest against the war in Ukraine. Desmond Wisley (51) of Tully, Ballinamore, Co Leitrim, pleaded not guilty to dangerous driving and criminal damage. On May 3rd, 2024, a jury at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court unanimously acquitted him of dangerous driving but could not agree a verdict on criminal damage. Judge Elva Duffy adjourned the criminal damage charge to May 16th and continued his bail.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Acquitted3 May
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A man reversed a truck into the gates of the Russian Embassy in a protest against the war in Ukraine.
Where
The incident took place on Orwell Road, Rathgar, Dublin.
When
The incident occurred on March 7th, 2022.
Cause
Wisley said he planned to knock down the embassy gates to put pressure on Russia.
Investigation
A building contractor said the gates had to be reconstructed at a cost of €13,250.
Charges
Desmond Wisley (51) of Tully, Ballinamore, Co Leitrim, was charged with and pleaded not guilty to criminal damage and dangerous driving.
In court
  • Wisley represented himself at trial in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
  • On May 3rd, 2024, the jury unanimously returned a not guilty verdict on the dangerous driving count.
  • The jury could not reach a verdict on the criminal damage count.
  • Judge Elva Duffy adjourned the criminal damage charge to May 16th and Wisley was remanded on continuing bail.
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA man reversed a truck into the gates of the Russian Embassy in a protest against the war in Ukraine. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe incident took place on Orwell Road, Rathgar. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe incident occurred on March 7th, 2022. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeWisley said he planned to knock down the embassy gates to put pressure on Russia. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationA building contractor said the gates had to be reconstructed at a cost of €13,250. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeDesmond Wisley pleaded not guilty to criminal damage and dangerous driving. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe jury unanimously returned a not guilty verdict on the dangerous driving count. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe jury could not reach a verdict on the criminal damage count. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe criminal damage charge was adjourned to May 16th and Wisley was remanded on continuing bail. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtWisley represented himself at trial. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 3 May2024
    Acquittedirishtimes.com, first report
    Man who reversed truck into gates of Russian Embassy in Ukraine war protest acquitted of dangerous driving

    Reports the jury's not guilty verdict on the dangerous driving count and its failure to agree on criminal damage, with that charge adjourned to May 16th and bail continued.

    accused, Desmond Wisley, 51, male, named, irish (judged from name)Desmond Wisley