Catherine O’Callaghan | Senior Staff Writer
John Farrell, the man accused of damaging Trinity’s Front Gate in a car ramming incident, missed his scheduled court appearance this morning after being admitted to hospital yesterday. Mr Farrell is now due to appear in court next month, on February 18th.
The 66-year old is charged with causing nearly €44,000 worth of criminal damage to the college front gates. The incident occurred in the early hours of the morning on April 2nd last year. Farrell, who is unemployed, is facing trial on 22 charges including hit-and-run offences, endangerment and dangerous driving at College Green and Dawson Street. He is also accused of causing nearly €18,000 worth of criminal damage to cars and a van.
Mr Farrell was originally arrested on the day of the incident and released without charge within 24 hours. Reports at the time suggested that mental health issues may have been a factor in the incident. He was subsequently charged at a hearing in October and released on bail. It is understood that Mr Farrell did not indicate how he intended to plead.
Over two months of restorative work was carried out on the historic solid oak gates, before their reinstatement in June 2014. The gate was erected in the 1870s as part of a refurbishment plan in Trinity, and it replaced the original 1759 gates. Since then, it has formed part of the start of the principal ceremonial route in all formal and official occasions in the college.
See also: 66-year-old Man Charged with Damaging Front Gate
In Photos: Front Gate Reinstated
Photo by Benedict Shegog for The University Times
