A man charged with crashing a van into the gates of several Government buildings was suffering “delusional fantasies”, a court heard today. 

David O’Callaghan, aged 40, of The Fairways, Woodbrook Glen, Bray, Co Wicklow, appeared in Dublin District Court earlier today. 

He faces five counts of criminal damage to gates at Áras an Uachtaráin, the Custom House and Government Buildings. 

He damaged the entrance gate of Phoenix House Lodge, the main gates of the Department of an Taoiseach, the rear gates of Leinster House, the North Road gate at Government Buildings and the main gates of Custom House Quay. 

The court heard the damages are estimated to cost tens of thousands of euros, including €4,750 at the gates of Áras an Uachtaráin. 

Garda William McCarthy told the court Mr O’Callaghan's mental health problems had exacerbated and he feared he would commit other offences. 

Gates at Government Buildings damaged after a man rammed a van into them, 02/08/2024. Image: Leah Farrell / © RollingNews.ie

He said Mr O’Callaghan had "delusional fantasies" and said he had taken his father's work van without permission at 1am on Friday. 

During questioning by Gardaí, Mr O’Callagan was adamant that he did not intend to enter any Government building but wanted to "carry out as much damage as he could." 

The court heard the accused believed the Government, social welfare and the President had replaced his family with clones and ramming the gates would “put an end” to this. 

Gates at Custom House Quay damaged after a man rammed a van into them, 02/08/2024. Image: Leah Farrell / © RollingNews.ie

The judge remanded Mr O’Callaghan in custody with consent to bail on several conditions, including an independent surety of €5,000. 

Mr O’Callaghan can also not go to the city centre or Phoenix Park, contact any public representative, or post online about the case. 

Defence barrister Karl Monahan said his client would obey several conditions. 

Pleading for bail, he said denying the application could be disproportionate and result in lengthy "oppressive pretrial incarceration" for a person who was still presumed innocent. 

The judge granted legal aid and directed medical and psychiatric attention to the accused in custody. 

Mr O’Callaghan will face his next hearing on August 8 at Cloverhill District Court. 

Reporting by Tom Tuite.