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. 1061Trespass, criminal damage · Co. Wexford · 2 Sep 2025

Man refused bail after driving into Garda van at Wexford station over Tricolour flag report

Vincent Murphy, a 34-year-old man from Taghmon, Co Wexford, repeatedly drove his car into a Garda patrol van at Wexford Garda station on the night of 2 September 2025 after taking exception to a news report about calls to remove Tricolour flags from Dublin lamp-posts. He was arrested and charged with trespass and causing criminal damage. He appeared before Judge John Cheatle at Gorey District Court on 3 September 2025, where bail was refused and a psychiatric assessment was ordered while in custody. The case was adjourned to the following Monday.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court3 Sep
    2 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Vincent Murphy repeatedly drove his car into a Garda patrol van at Wexford Garda station, causing extensive damage estimated at approximately €10,000 to repair.
Where
The incident occurred at Wexford Garda station, Co Wexford.
When
The incident took place on Tuesday night, 2 September 2025.
Cause
Murphy took exception to a news report about calls to remove Tricolour flags erected without authorisation on Dublin lamp-posts.
Investigation
Two gardaí at the station heard continuous blowing of a car horn and saw a man with a flag; Murphy was arrested and brought into the station for questioning.
Charges
He was charged with trespass and causing criminal damage to a Garda public order van.
In court
  • He appeared before Judge John Cheatle at Gorey District Court on 3 September 2025.
  • Judge Cheatle refused bail and ordered a psychiatric assessment while in custody.
  • The case was adjourned to return to court the following Monday.
Other details
Murphy has no previous convictions and had been assessed in hospital the previous night but did not wait for his call back.
27 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe man repeatedly drove into a Garda patrol van causing extensive damage. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatTwo gardaí at the station heard continuous blowing of a car horn and saw a man with an Irish flag. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatHe drove his car around the back of the station to a private area, then drove into the car park when the gates opened and repeatedly drove at the patrol van. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe incident occurred at Wexford Garda station. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe incident took place on Tuesday night, 2 September 2025. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeHe took exception to a news report about calls to remove Tricolour flags erected without authorisation on Dublin lamp-posts. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationHe was arrested and brought into the Garda station for questioning. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeHe was charged with coercive control and sexual assault against his former partner. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeHe was charged on two counts of sexual assault in November 2019 and February 2020. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeHe was charged with coercive control on dates unknown between March 2019 and September 2021. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeOne charge of assault is dated November 2019. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeHe faced two charges: trespass and causing criminal damage to a Garda public order van. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtA member of An Garda Síochána appeared before Gorey District Court, Co Wexford, on Wednesday. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe accused had previously appeared before a previous sitting of Gorey District Court and was remanded on bail to await the book of evidence. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtSergeant Stephen Ennis asked for an adjournment as the book of evidence was not yet available. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe accused was remanded on continuing bail to sign on at a Garda station of his choosing. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe matter was adjourned to Gorey District Court on 2 October 2025 for service of the book of evidence. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtJudge John Cheatle refused bail and ordered a psychiatric assessment while in custody. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe case was adjourned to return to court the following Monday. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe garda has been formally suspended from duty. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe accused's solicitor is Ms Lana Doherty. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe accused has had no contact with the victim since the incident was reported. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThere have been no issues with the no-contact arrangement for more than 18 months. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe accused was placed on restricted duties when the complaint was made before being suspended on 18 June 2025. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe damage to the van could cost approximately €10,000 to repair. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherHe had been assessed in hospital the previous night but did not wait for his call back. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe accused has no previous convictions. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 3 Sep2025
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Man drove into Garda van after taking exception to reports about Tricolour, court told

    First court appearance; bail refused and psychiatric assessment ordered while in custody; case adjourned to the following Monday.

    accused, Vincent Murphy, 34, male, named, irish (judged from name)Vincent Murphy
  2. 3 Sep2025
    In courtirishtimes.com, follow-up
    Garda charged with sexual assault and coercive control against his former partner

    First report of the case. The accused garda was formally suspended on 18 June 2025 after being placed on restricted duties when the complaint was made. His solicitor stated he has had no contact with the victim for over 18 months. Sergeant Stephen Ennis requested an adjournment as the book of evidence was not yet available.

    accused, malevictim