A man accused of crashing a van into the gates of Áras an Uachtaráin, the Custom House and Government Buildings in Dublin has been sent forward for trial.
A judge heard on Thursday that the bill for damage to granite at the landmark structures could come to a seven-figure sum.
David O’Callaghan, 40, of The Fairways, Woodbrook Glen, Bray, Co Wicklow, allegedly crashed a van into entrances of the three State buildings within 15 minutes in the early hours of August 2 last year. The following day, Mr O’Callaghan’s bail was set at €350 but also required the approval of a €5,000 independent surety, who must lodge €1,500.
He later took up bail and appeared again at Dublin District Court on Thursday, when prosecutors served him with a book of evidence.
Judge Paula Murphy noted the Director of Public Prosecutions directed trial on indictment and she agreed to grant a return-for-trial order sending Mr O’Callaghan forward to the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, where the case will be listed on March 6.
Unemployed Mr O’Callaghan, who has yet to indicate a plea, is accused of offences under the Criminal Damage Act, which can carry a maximum 10-year sentence. He must notify the prosecution if he intends to introduce alibi evidence in his trial, and Gardaí have to provide copies of interview videos to the defence. He spoke briefly to acknowledge that he must continue to obey the bail conditions.
Defence counsel Luke O’Higgins, instructed by solicitor Eddie O’Connor, applied for legal aid to include senior counsel representation. He said his client was accused of damaging the gates on “a very difficult night last summer”.
Mr O’Higgins said the damage to the granite involved could amount to a six or potentially seven-figure sum. There was no State objection and Judge Murphy acceded to the request. The accused has yet to enter a plea.
His bail terms state that he must not contact any public representative, go to the city centre or Phoenix Park, or post online about the case. The cases involve claims he damaged the entrance gate at Phoenix Gate Lodge, Áras an Uachtaráin, Phoenix Park, Dublin 8.
He was further charged with three counts of criminal damage around the houses of the Oireachtas: the main gates of the Department of An Taoiseach, Merrion St Upper, the rear gates of Leinster House, Merrion Square West, and the North Road gate at Government Buildings, Merrion St Upper. He was also accused of damaging the main gates of the Custom House, Dublin 1.
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