Sean Cullen gets four-year suspended sentence over train graffiti and assault

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Sean Cullen was given a four-year sentence, suspended in full on conditions, at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 18 July 2025. Judge Martin Nolan warned that Cullen would go to jail if he reoffended.

Cullen pleaded guilty to two counts of criminal damage and one count of common assault. The proceedings were reported on 18 July 2025.

The court heard that Cullen caused €60,914 worth of damage, and Irish Rail had indicated a further €40,000 in costs for the incidents. The judge accepted that Cullen was remorseful and working as an apprentice electrician. He had €2,000 in court for the driver he assaulted.

An investigating garda described an incident at Fairview DART Depot on 25 September 2021. A driver approached two men who did not work there and grabbed Cullen, who pepper-sprayed him during an altercation. Defence barrister Karl Monaghan put it to the garda that the second man had “administered thumps” to the injured party. The driver later returned to work after making a full recovery.

Cullen was identified from CCTV, and spray cans and other items were found during a search of his home in May 2022. His fingerprints were identified on certain items. Monaghan said Cullen had no real explanation, but had become fascinated by graffiti and knew of a 1970s New York art movement in which street artists spray-painted trains. Counsel said Cullen accepted full responsibility.

Judge Nolan said he had taken Cullen into custody earlier that week to warn him about his future if he misbehaved again.