Man Charged with Ramming Gates at Key Dublin Government Sites
David O’Callaghan faces five counts of criminal damage to gates at three major locations within about 15 minutes.
A man allegedly went on a spree, ramming a van into gates at Áras an Uachtaráin, the Custom House, and Government Buildings in Dublin, driven by “delusional fantasies,” a court has heard. David O’Callaghan, 40, from The Fairways, Woodbrook Glen, Bray, Co Wicklow, appeared before Judge William Aylmer at Dublin District Court on Saturday.
O’Callaghan is accused of five counts of criminal damage to the gates at these three locations, all occurring within a 15-minute span.
The damage to the gates at Áras an Uachtaráin alone was valued at €4,750. No damage estimates were available yet for the other locations, but gardaí believe it to be in the tens of thousands of euros. Additional serious charges may follow.
O’Callaghan was remanded in custody with bail set at €350, requiring approval of a €5,000 independent surety, who must lodge €1,500. Upon securing bail, O’Callaghan must stay out of the city centre and Phoenix Park, avoid contact with public representatives, and refrain from posting online about the case. He is scheduled to appear again on Thursday.
O’Callaghan was arrested around 2:30 am and detained at Pearse Street Garda station. He was charged on Friday evening under the Criminal Damage Act, which carries a maximum 10-year sentence.
Appearing in court dressed in a red T-shirt, navy tracksuit bottoms, and trainers O’Callaghan sat calmly and remained silent during most of the bail hearing.
The accusations include damaging the entrance gate at Phoenix Gate Lodge, Áras an Uachtaráin, Phoenix Park, D8, as well as the main gates of the Department of the Taoiseach, Merrion St Upper; the rear gates of Leinster House, Merrion Square West; the North Road gate at Government Buildings, Merrion St Upper; and the main gates of the Custom House, Dublin 1.
Garda William McCarthy testified that O’Callaghan made no reply when charged. Due to the seriousness of the case and O’Callaghan’s mental health issues, McCarthy expressed concerns that O’Callaghan might commit further offenses and posed a danger to the public and his family.
McCarthy described how O’Callaghan allegedly used his father’s van to reverse into the main gate of Áras an Uachtaráin, causing €4,750 worth of damage. The accused then reportedly drove into the city centre to the Custom House, where he swerved into the gates, causing extensive damage. Similar actions were taken at Government Buildings and Leinster House, resulting in severe damage to gates and structures.
The van was immobilized after airbags deployed upon impact with the last gate. O’Callaghan was arrested at the scene, and the van was seized. The incidents were captured on CCTV, and during interviews, O’Callaghan allegedly admitted he intended to cause as much damage as possible.
O’Callaghan’s “delusional fantasies” included beliefs that his family members were replaced by actors and that government officials were conspiring against him. He allegedly posted a photo of the crashed van on social media to raise awareness of his situation.
The court must await directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on whether more serious charges will be pressed and if the case will proceed to the Circuit Court, which has broader sentencing powers.
Defense barrister Karl Monahan argued for bail, stating that prolonged pretrial incarceration could be oppressive for someone presumed innocent. The judge granted legal aid and directed that O’Callaghan receive medical and psychiatric attention in custody.
The bail terms require O’Callaghan to provide a contact phone number, adhere to an 11 pm to 6 am curfew, avoid contact with public representatives, stay out of the city centre except for court hearings, avoid parts of Phoenix Park, engage in treatment, sign in twice weekly at a Garda station, refrain from social media posts about the case, and not drive any motor vehicle.
O’Callaghan is set to face his next hearing on August 8 at Cloverhill District Court.
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