A man charged with ramming the Russian embassy gates in Dublin intends to plead not guilty.

49-year-old Desmond Wisley will opt for a trial before a Circuit Court judge and jury.

The Church supplier was arrested after his firm's lorry reversed and crashed through the gates of the building at Orwell Road at around 1:30pm on March 7th.

Clips of the incident went viral online and in the media.

Gardaí charged the businessman from of Tully, Ballinamore, County Leitrim with dangerous driving at the embassy and criminal damage to the gates.

The following day, he was granted €300 bail after agreeing to obey a list of strict conditions.

The case was back before Tallaght District Court today

Mr Wisley did not have to appear but was represented by his solicitor, who told the court the DPP had indicated the matter could be disposed of the district court, but only if his client pleaded guilty.

Otherwise, it would go forward on indictment, which has broader sentencing powers.

His solicitor said "the plea is not guilty, so it will be in the Circuit Court".

The judge adjourned the case for mention until July 1st.

At his first court hearing on March 8th, Mr Wisley gave a statement to reporters in which he thanked Gardaí for their professionalism before condemning the Russian government and its president Vladimir Putin.

Protective barriers were later placed outside the embassy.

Reporting from Tom Tuite.

Main image is a file photo of Gardaí outside the Russian Embassy on February 24th, 2022. Image: Michael Staines/Newstalk