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. 6679Criminal damage · Co. Dublin · 12 Jul 2020

Man jailed for criminal damage to Luke Kelly statue in Dublin

Michael Dunne (50) threw blue paint on a Luke Kelly statue in Dublin on July 12, 2020, causing €240 worth of damage. Gardaí identified him from nearby CCTV footage and arrested him, and he pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to causing criminal damage. A bench warrant was issued after he did not attend the last sentence date in December. Judge Orla Crowe sentenced him to 18 months, with the final nine months suspended on strict conditions, as reported on January 25, 2024.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced25 Jan
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Michael Dunne (50) threw blue paint on a Luke Kelly statue, causing €240 worth of damage.
Where
The statue is a Luke Kelly statue in Dublin.
When
The criminal damage occurred on July 12, 2020.
Cause
The Key facts state that Dunne was given drugs as a reward for throwing the paint.
Investigation
Gardaí found the damage, identified Dunne from nearby CCTV footage, and arrested him.
Charges
Dunne pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage.
In court
  • Dunne pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
  • A bench warrant was issued after Dunne did not attend the last sentence date in December.
Sentence
Judge Orla Crowe sentenced Dunne to 18 months, with the final nine months suspended on strict conditions.
Other details
  • Dunne was living in homeless accommodation at the time.
  • Dunne has 51 previous convictions dating back to 1986, including five for criminal damage.
  • The judge noted mitigating factors including his guilty plea, expressions of remorse, and his vulnerable history and personal circumstances.
  • The judge noted aggravating factors including Dunne's previous convictions.
11 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA man threw blue paint on a Luke Kelly statue, causing €240 worth of damage. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe statue is a Luke Kelly statue in Dublin. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe criminal damage occurred on July 12th, 2020. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeDunne was given drugs as a reward for throwing the paint. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGardaí found the damage and identified Dunne from nearby CCTV footage, and he was arrested. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeDunne pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtA bench warrant was issued after Dunne did not attend the last sentence date in December. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceJudge Orla Crowe sentenced Dunne to 18 months, with the final nine months suspended on strict conditions. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherDunne was living in homeless accommodation at the time. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherDunne has 51 previous convictions dating back to 1986, including five for criminal damage. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe judge noted mitigating factors including his guilty plea, expressions of remorse, his vulnerable history and personal circumstances. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 25 Jan2024
    Sentencedirishtimes.com, first report
    Man (50) jailed for causing €240 worth of damage to Luke Kelly statue in Dublin

    Reports the sentencing of Michael Dunne: 18 months with final nine months suspended. Adds the €240 damage value, his 51 previous convictions, his homelessness at the time, and the mitigating and aggravating factors the judge noted.

    convicted, Michael Dunne, 50, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Dunne