Courts / Dublin / Report
Vandal caused €60k in damage to carriages, assaulted Irish Rail employee
Summary
A 22-year-old man has pleaded guilty to criminal damage and assault following incidents at Irish Rail facilities in Dublin. Sean Cullen, of East Wall, Dublin 3, admitted two counts of criminal damage and one count of common assault under the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997 at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The court heard that Cullen caused over €60,000 in damage through graffiti on train carriages, with Irish Rail indicating an additional €40,000 in costs. During a September 2021 incident at Fairview DART Depot, an Irish Rail employee was pepper-sprayed and sustained injuries including facial swelling and back pain whilst confronting Cullen and another man acting suspiciously. The employee subsequently recovered fully. Cullen was identified through CCTV and forensic fingerprint analysis linking him to further incidents at Docklands and Connolly stations. Judge Martin Nolan remanded Cullen in custody pending sentencing on 18 July, noting the defendant "deserves a salutary lesson". The defence noted Cullen's previous good work history as an apprentice electrician and requested a probation report and community service assessment.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Vandal caused €60k in damage to carriages, assaulted Irish Rail employee. Charges or matters: two counts of criminal damage and one of assault under Section 2 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997, known as common assault. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- Friday, July 18 Adjournment
- September 25, 2021 Incident
- February 21, 2020 Incident
- November 22, 2021 Incident
- May 2022 Incident
- 2025-07-16 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: two counts of criminal damage and one of assault under Section 2 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997, known as common assault (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Mr Monaghan said the number of incidents are aggravating but asked the court to consider ordering a probation report and directing his client to be assessed for community service.; After hearing facts today, Judge Martin Nolan remanded Cullen, also known as Cullen-Wilson, of Hope Avenue, East Wall, Dublin 3 into custody until Friday, July 18 when he indicated he would finalise the case.
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