Courts / Clare / Report

Tourists describe seeing man's fist go through €10 million Monet painting

Date
2014-11-27

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Shannon

County
Clare

Summary

Two New Zealand tourists recounted seeing a man's fist penetrate a Monet painting worth €10 million at the National Gallery of Ireland on 29 June 2012. The accused, Andrew Shannon, 50, pleaded not guilty to damaging Claude Monet's *Argenteuil Basin with a Single Sail Boat* (1874) and to damaging two Felim Egan paintings at the Shelbourne Hotel. Witnesses, including a paramedic and security staff, described Shannon as fainting, complaining of chest pain and falling against the painting. He later claimed a heart condition and that he had a tin of paint stripper. The case is before Judge Martin Nolan and a jury, with no verdict yet announced. The incident remains a criminal matter under investigation.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Tourists describe seeing man's fist go through €10 million Monet painting. Charges or matters: damaging one Claude Monet painting entitled Argenteuil Basin with a Single Sail Boat (1874) at the National Gallery of Ireland on Clare Street on June 29, 2012. Procedural stage: trial

When:

June 29, 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
January 8, 2014 Other
2014-11-27 Publication

Why: Mr McArdle asked Mr Shannon about the paint stripper, as he was concerned he may have ingested some, and the accused replied that he had it because he was a French polisher. CNI source report

Case subjects

Andrew Shannon

Defendant

Charges: damaging one Claude Monet painting entitled Argenteuil Basin with a Single Sail Boat (1874) at the National Gallery of Ireland on Clare Street on June 29, 2012 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty