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. 5785Burglary · Co. Dublin · 28 May 2024

Man charged over alleged trespass at Leinster House, Dublin

Paul Whelan, 39, was arrested after allegedly scaling the railings at Leinster House in Dublin shortly before 6pm on Tuesday 28 May 2024, in an alleged attempt to remove the Palestinian flag. On Wednesday 29 May 2024 he was charged with burglary by trespassing with intent to commit an offence and brought before Judge Patricia Cronin at Dublin District Court, where he was granted bail on a €200 bond with a condition to stay away from all government buildings. Legal aid was granted because he was on social welfare with no assets. The latest development is that the case was remanded to appear again on 10 July 2024, and he has not yet indicated a plea.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court29 May
    2 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A man was arrested for allegedly scaling the railings at Leinster House in an alleged attempt to remove the Palestinian flag.
Where
The incident allegedly happened at the Merrion Square side of the Leinster House complex, close to where the Palestinian flag had been erected.
When
The incident allegedly happened shortly before 6pm on Tuesday 28 May 2024.
Cause
The alleged motive was an attempt to remove the Palestinian flag, which had been erected after Ireland's official recognition of the State of Palestine.
Investigation
Gardaí and Oireachtas security personnel allegedly saw a man climb the fence and try to cross the Leinster House lawn towards the flag.
Charges
He was charged with burglary by trespassing with intent to commit an offence in the garden at Leinster House.
In court
  • He was arrested, charged and brought before Judge Patricia Cronin at Dublin District Court on Wednesday 29 May 2024.
  • He was granted bail on a €200 bond with a condition to stay away from all government buildings.
  • The case was remanded to appear again at Dublin District Court on 10 July 2024.
Other details
  • Garda Conor Dineen gave evidence that the accused made no reply when charged.
  • He has not yet indicated a plea.
  • Legal aid was granted because he was on social welfare and had no assets.
  • Sources differ on his address: the Irish Times gives Dowland Road, Dublin 12, and the Irish Mirror gives Rowland Road, Dublin 12.
  • Directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions must be obtained.
21 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA man was arrested for scaling the railings at Leinster House in an alleged attempt to remove the Palestinian flag. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatA man allegedly climbed the railings at Leinster House and was arrested. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe incident happened at the Merrion Square side of Leinster House. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe incident happened on the Merrion Square side of the Leinster House complex. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe incident happened close to where the Palestine flag had been erected. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe incident happened shortly before 6pm on a Tuesday. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe incident allegedly happened shortly before 6pm on Tuesday. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationGardaí and Oireachtas security personnel saw a man climb the fence and try to cross the lawn to the flag. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGardaí and Oireachtas security personnel allegedly saw a male climbing the fence and then trying to cross the Leinster House lawn. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeHe is charged with burglary by trespassing with intent to commit an offence in the garden at Leinster House. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
  • courtHe was charged, arrested and brought before Dublin District Court on a Wednesday. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtHe was granted bail with a condition to stay away from all government buildings. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtHe was remanded on a €200 bail bond to appear again on July 10th. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtHe was arrested, charged and brought before Judge Patricia Cronin at Dublin District Court on Wednesday. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtHe was granted bail but ordered to stay away from all government buildings. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtHe was remanded on a €200 bail bond to appear again on July 10. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherHe has not yet indicated a plea. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
  • otherLegal aid was granted because he was on social welfare and had no assets. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe court heard he would be living at an address in Dublin 2. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherLegal aid was granted because the accused was on social welfare and had no assets. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherDirections from the Director of Public Prosecutions must be obtained. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 29 May2024
    In courtirishmirror.ie, first report
    Man charged over alleged trespass at Leinster House

    First report of the case. Adds the charge, the court appearance before Judge Patricia Cronin, the bail conditions, the remand date of 10 July, and the grant of legal aid.

    accused, Paul Whelan, 39, male, named, irish (judged from name)Paul Whelan
  2. 29 May2024
    In courtirishtimes.com, follow-up
    Man charged over trespass at Leinster House in alleged bid to remove Palestinian flag

    First report of the case: charge, court appearance, bail conditions and remand date.

    accused, Paul Whelan, 39, male, named, irish (judged from name)Paul Whelan