A 66-year-old Dublin man has been charged with damaging the historic front gates of Trinity College Dublin last April.
John Farrell, from Faussaugh Avenue, Cabra appeared before Dublin District Court facing 21 charges on September 30th. The charges include dangerous driving, criminal damage, hit and run and endangerment of life.
Mr Farrell is alleged to have caused more than €61,000 worth of damages in total during the incident, including the cost of repair to the front wooden gate of TCD, valued at €43,816.
Judge James Faughnan granted Mr Farrell bail and adjourned the case till November 26th for the preparation of a book of evidence. Judge Faughnan said the damage was “substantial” and serious.
The offences are alleged to have occurred around the areas of Trinity College, Dawson Street, College Green and Nassau Street on April 2nd.
During the incident several cars were damaged when a vehicle entered TCD grounds, and damaged the 140 year old gate when the car made its exit onto College Green. The car continued up Dawson Street damaging more cars along the street, before eventually being stopped by gardaí.
Garda Anthony Brazil from Pearse Street station told the court that he arrested Mr Farrell and that he made no comment to any of the charges put forward to him.
The defendant, Mr Farrell is unemployed and his lawyer said he was “reserving his right for legal aid.” Mr Farrell did not address the court during the hearing and gave no indication as to how he intends to plead.
Mr Farrell’s lawyer said that his client was unable to pay the bail, family and friends in attendance paid €300, with the remaining €700 to be paid at a later date. He will be tried in 7 weeks in the Circuit Court.
The oak gates of Trinity were erected in the early 1870s during a refurbishment to replace the original one from 1759. The gates were replaced in June of after the incident.
Jordan Kavanagh
Image: rte.ie
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