A man suspected of ramming a van into the gates of multiple State and Government buildings in Dublin posted a death threat online before the rampage.
Garda have identified a social media message in which the suspect says he will “kill him” and “anyone in my way”. The target of the message is not named.
Gardaí are reviewing the suspect’s social media accounts and have also identified images of his alleged crimes posted online.
However, the incidents are not being treated as terrorism and no attempt was made to enter any of the buildings.
An investigation is underway after a the gates of Áras an Uachtaráin, Custom House, and different locations at Government buildings in the city centre were rammed overnight.
A man, aged in his early 40s, was arrested for road traffic offences including driving while under the influence of an intoxicant.
He is being questioned by gardaí, with sources saying there was a mental health aspect to the incidents.
Investigators have also identified a social media account believed to be connected to the suspect.
The gates at Dublin’s Phoenix Park, the official residence of Ireland’s President, Michael D Higgins, where Gardai are investigating an incident of criminal damage. Cate McCurry/PA Wire
The account includes an image posted overnight of a van that had been driven into the gate of a Government department.
One source told the Irish Independent: “We are not dealing with a criminal mastermind here, but it will be looked at what the policing response was, and how an individual could drive across the city targeting several high-profile properties.
“While this man clearly had a grievance with the Government, what sparked this is under investigation, and there is also a clear mental health aspect to this.”
Gardaí were alerted to an incident involving a white van on Merrion Street Upper, Dublin 2, at approximately 2.30am this morning.
The locations targeted included the gates at the entrance to the Taoiseach’s department and the Office of the Attorney General.
Gardaí believe the same vehicle was involved in similar ramming incidents at the President’s residence, Áras an Uachtaráin and the Department of Housing located at Custom House.
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It’s understood that the driver of the van involved did not attempt to enter the buildings, but caused significant damage to the gates of each location before driving off.
The front gates of the Áras were rammed at around 2.30am.
The white van was removed from the scene on Merrion Street this morning for examination.
The scene remains preserved to facilitate a technical examination this morning by the local Scenes of Crime Unit.
Former Irish contestant on Big Brother, Ray Shah, came upon the scene at Merrion Square last night and told the Irish Independent what he saw.
“I was driving home after DJing at a gig on Leeson Street and turned into Merrion Street,” he said.
“I saw police at Government Buildings and a white van jutting into the entrance. The first thing that came into my head was that it was a ramming attempt, which it turned out was the case.
“The Guards were there and a had a guy down and out of the van. He was wearing red — it looked like an all-in-one outfit, like a onesie.” He was not struggling, but lying at an entrance pillar.
A Garda officer and a military police officer look at damage caused to gates outside Government Buildings in Merrion Street, Dublin, after they were struck by a van in the early hours of Thursday morning. Cate McCurry/PA Wire
“I pulled in to take a photo and noticed a taxi-man filming it all, so those pictures will probably turn up somewhere. The guy was face down and the police were telling him to stay down, and telling him not to move. I couldn’t hear much else.
“I noticed that the back of the van had its rear bumper completely off — which made me realise that he must have reversed at speed into one of the other gates first.
“Then I saw the other gates further along (the North Road, beside the Attorney General’s offices) and it was wrecked. But the Guards had the situation totally under control.
‘I didn’t hear any bangs – all that had obviously happened before I came along. But I know there is always security there and if you even go near there the cops will be out”.
A Garda spokesperson said: “Gardaí were alerted to a single-vehicle road traffic collision on Merrion Street Upper, Dublin 2 at approximately 2:30am on Friday 2nd August 2024.
“The driver of the vehicle, a male in his 40s, was arrested on suspicion of offences under the Road Traffic Act. He is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 at a Garda station in Dublin city.
“The scene remains preserved to facilitate a technical examination by the local Scenes of Crime Unit this morning.”
The spokesperson added that gardaí were also investigating an incident of criminal damage at the Phoenix Park, Dublin 8 in the early hours of this morning and a “material damage road traffic collision” that occurred at Custom House Quay.