Courts / Wicklow / Report

Judge warns man who rammed landmark State buildings he will face jail if offending repeated

Date
2025-05-06

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Bray

County
Wicklow

Summary

In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Judge Martin Nolan warned David O'Callaghan, 41, that any repeat offence would lead to prison. O'Callaghan, who suffered a paranoid delusion and was later diagnosed with schizophrenia, had driven a white Ford Transit van into the gates of Leinster House, The Custom House and Aras An Uachtaráin, causing over €60,000 in damage. He pleaded guilty to driving into the rear gates of Leinster House and two counts of criminal damage on 2 August 2024. The judge imposed a four‑year prison sentence, suspended on strict conditions, including 21 months of Probation Service supervision. O'Callaghan was told he must comply with the Probation Service and that any repeat offence would bring him back before the court. The court noted his 11 previous convictions, including drug offences, and his ongoing psychiatric treatment. The case was adjourned for finalisation of the suspended sentence conditions.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Judge warns man who rammed landmark State buildings he will face jail if offending repeated. Charges or matters: driving into the rear gates of Leinster House and two counts of criminal damage, all on August 2, 2024. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

August 2, 2024 Hearing Or Sentence
2025-05-06 Publication

Case subjects

David O'Callaghan

Defendant

Charges: driving into the rear gates of Leinster House and two counts of criminal damage, all on August 2, 2024 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Today, Judge Nolan imposed a four-year prison sentence, which he suspended on strict conditions including that O'Callaghan place himself under the supervision of the Probation Services for 21 months. The judge told O'Callaghan: "You have to do what they [the Probation Service] tell you to do." "You're getting a chance, principally by reason of your underlying problems, but any repeat and you will end up in prison," the judge said, adding that O'Callaghan would be brought back before the court if he offended during the term of the suspended sentence.; Judge Nolan adjourned the sentence until today for finalisation and directed the Probation Services to prepare conditions for O'Callaghan's supervision.