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'Some form of artist': vandal avoids jail for causing €60k in damage to train carriages, assaulting worker
Summary
Sean Cullen, aged 22, of Hope Avenue, East Wall, Dublin 3, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to two counts of criminal damage and one count of common assault. The charges related to incidents at the Fairview DART Depot on 25 September 2021, where he pepper-sprayed an Irish Rail employee during a confrontation, and to graffiti damage caused to train carriages at multiple locations between February 2020 and November 2021. The total damage caused amounted to €60,914, with Irish Rail estimating additional costs of €40,000. The injured employee sustained a swollen face and back injury but has since made a full recovery. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a four-year sentence, fully suspended, on condition that Cullen does not reoffend. The judge noted Cullen's remorse, his current employment as an apprentice electrician, and the €2,000 restitution offered to the victim. No further offences have been recorded since his arrest.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 'Some form of artist': vandal avoids jail for causing €60k in damage to train carriages, assaulting worker. 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:
- September 25, 2021 Incident
- February 21, 2020 Incident
- November 22, 2021 Incident
- May 2022 Incident
- 2025-07-18 Publication
Why: He was taken into custody following a sentence hearing earlier this week, with Judge Nolan saying he did so in order to warn him that this was his future if he misbehaved again. CNI source report
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: Photo: Collins) By Eimear Dodd and Isabel Hayes A vandal who caused over €60,000 worth of damage to train carriages and pepper-sprayed an Irish Rail employee has been given a four-year suspended sentence. The judge imposed a sentence of four years, but suspended it in full on several conditions.
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