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. 2540Criminal damage · Co. Dublin · 2 Aug 2024

Man sent for trial over van crash into Government Buildings, Áras an Uachtaráin and Custom House

David O'Callaghan, 40, of Bray, Co Wicklow, was sent forward for trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after being charged with criminal damage for allegedly crashing a van into the gates of Áras an Uachtaráin, the Custom House and Government Buildings in Dublin in the early hours of 2 August 2024. The damage to granite at the landmark structures could amount to a seven-figure sum.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court16 Jan
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
15 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA van was crashed into entrances of three State buildings within 15 minutes. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe accused is David O'Callaghan, 40, of The Fairways, Woodbrook Glen, Bray, Co Wicklow. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe bill for damage to granite at the landmark structures could come to a seven-figure sum. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe accused is unemployed. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatHe is accused of damaging the entrance gate at Phoenix Gate Lodge, Áras an Uachtaráin, Phoenix Park, Dublin 8. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatHe is charged with three counts of criminal damage around the houses of the Oireachtas: the main gates of the Department of An Taoiseach, the rear gates of Leinster House, and the North Road gate at Government Buildings. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatHe is also accused of damaging the main gates of the Custom House, Dublin 1. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe incident occurred in the early hours of 2 August 2024. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeHe is accused of offences under the Criminal Damage Act, which can carry a maximum 10-year sentence. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtBail was set at €350 with a €5,000 independent surety who must lodge €1,500. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtHe appeared at Dublin District Court on Thursday, 16 January 2025, when prosecutors served him with a book of evidence. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe DPP directed trial on indictment and Judge Paula Murphy granted a return-for-trial order. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe case will be listed at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 6 March 2025. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtDefence counsel Luke O'Higgins, instructed by solicitor Eddie O'Connor, applied for legal aid to include senior counsel representation, which was granted. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtBail terms require him not to contact any public representative, go to the city centre or Phoenix Park, or post online about the case. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 16 Jan2025
    In courtirishmirror.ie, first report
    Govt Buildings repair bill could hit 7 figures as man on trial after van crash

    First report of the case being sent forward for trial; details of the specific charges, bail conditions, and the potential seven-figure damage bill provided.

    accused, David O'Callaghan, 40, male, named, irish (judged from name)David O'Callaghan