David O’Callaghan, a 40-year-old man from The Fairways, Woodbrook Glen, Bray in County Wicklow, was accused of orchestrating a succession of attacks where he crashed a van into the entrances of several key Dublin buildings, including Áras an Uachtaráin, the Custom House, and Government Buildings, driven by what has been described as ‘delusional fantasies’. This evidentiary information was disclosed to the Dublin District Court by Judge William Aylmer.
O’Callaghan faces five separate charges related to vandalising the gates of the aforementioned buildings in an incident sequence that spanned roughly a quarter of an hour. The restitution cost for the damage inflicted on Áras an Uachtaráin was estimated to be €4,750. Damage assessments for the remaining sites are still underway, but the authorities anticipate that the sum will be substantial, likely reaching into the tens of thousands.
There’s potential for O’Callaghan to incur more serious charges, contingent on further investigation. The court has reserved him in custody, granting the possibility of bail, set at €350 along with the prerequisite approval of an independent €5,000 surety who is mandated to contribute €1,500 upfront. If O’Callaghan manages to secure bail, he is explicitly forbidden from heading to the city centre or Phoenix Park, communicating with any public official, or posting case details online. His next court appearance is scheduled for Thursday.
The unemployed man was taken into custody a little after half-past two in the morning and held for questioning at Pearse Street Garda Station. He was formally charged on Friday evening under the Criminal Damage Act, offences under which could lead to a maximum custodial sentence of a decade. O’Callaghan, who is yet to enter a plea, made his first appearance in court on Saturday. Dressed in a red T-shirt, accompanied by navy-blue track pants and trainers, he maintained a quiet composure throughout a major portion of the contentious bail hearing.
O’Callaghan stands accused of causing damage to the entrance gate at Phoenix Gate Lodge, Áras an Uachtaráin, situated within Phoenix Park in Dublin 8.
The accused was slapped with three charges linked to criminal damage committed around key institutions of the Oireachtas: the primary entrance of An Taoiseach Department, another at the rear of Leinster House, both in Merrion Street Upper, plus the North Road entry to Government Buildings. Furthermore, he was accused of causing damage to the main gates of the Custom House, in Dublin 1.
During proceedings, Garda William McCarthy testified, stating that Mr O’Callaghan chose to remain silent when confronted with his charges. Given the weight of the allegations, the constable voiced concerns regarding the deterioration of the accused’s psychological wellness, which he suggested increased the risk for potential future criminal acts. His concern extended to both the safety of the public and the accused’s family.
The presiding Judge Aylmer, however, deemed the evidence presented insufficient to warrant outright denial of bail, opting instead to impose stringent conditions. The court was informed, by Garda McCarthy, of an incident where the defendant allegedly reversed his father’s van into Áras an Uachtaráin’s main gate, causing damages estimated at around €4,750.
The hearing also revealed allegations of Mr O’Callaghan journeying into the city centre and redirecting his vehicle towards the Custom House gates, making a sudden and head-on collision. Fortunately, the impact was absorbed by the gates.
It was also suggested the accused made a similar manoeuvre at 2:30 am, steering abruptly towards Leinster House’s rear entrance located at Merrion Square. Later, the same van was driven backwards at high speed into the North Road entrance of Government Buildings and then crashed into An Taoiseach department’s entry at Merrion Street Upper.
After these impacts, the van sustained critical damage, deploying airbags and becoming stuck in the gates of An Taoiseach’s department. Garda McCarthy told the court that the defendant exited the vehicle, photographing the damaged van still wedged in the gates. Mr O’Callaghan was immediately apprehended at the scene and the van was subsequently confiscated.
The police stated that the events were recorded on closed-circuit television. During questioning, the alleged offender was resolute in maintaining that his intention was not to infiltrate any governmental institution, but rather to invoke as much destruction as he possibly could. Officer McCarthy of the police force revealed that the suspect exhibited signs of delusions, and had taken his father’s work vehicle without consent at 1 o’clock in the morning on a Friday.
The court was informed that the suspect shared with the police that he felt his relatives had been substituted with actors, who were drugging him and causing him to wake up every day at dawn, using a hallucinogenic spray. The court also learned that the suspect suspected individuals from the government, welfare services, and even the President were involved in this scheme. He believed that ramming the gates would put a stop to his anguish.
According to the court, it was alleged that he had uploaded a photograph on social platforms to generate awareness about his ordeal. Advocacy attorney Karl Monahan, acting on behalf of Eddie O’Connor, spoke in court, stating that his client would comply with several imposed conditions.
At the end of the defense’s arguments, the suspect attempted to interject but the request was denied by the judge. Mr O’Callaghan has yet to enter a formal plea. The judge awarded him legal assistance and ordered medical and psychiatric treatment for him while in custody.
His next court appearance is scheduled for August 8th at the Cloverhill District Court.