‘Grievance led to woman’s crash’
A WOMAN drove her car into the gates of Government Buildings in Dublin because of a ‘personal grievance against the State’, it is understood.
The 57-year-old woman, from Crumlin in south Dublin, does not have mental health issues and her attack is not linked to the Papal visit. It is also non-terror related. A senior source said the woman feels ‘aggrieved’ by the State because of a ‘personal issue that relates to her’.
The incident occurred shortly after 10am yesterday when the woman, who was on her own in her Nissan Micra, crashed the car into the heavy steel gates at the entrance to the Department of the Taoiseach. She was arrested and taken to Pearse Street Garda Station, where she was last night still being questioned. She can be held for up to 24 hours.
There were no reported injuries. There was minor damage to the bumper and driver’s side headlight, but no damage to the gate. A small Nativity crib was visible in the back of the car.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar yesterday said it was a ‘crime scene’ and that a person had been arrested for criminal damage.
A senior source said: ‘This is not a terror matter or linked in any way to the Papal visit. This is a situation where the woman in question, who is not a criminal, feels personally aggrieved by the State over a personal matter.
‘It is not considered a serious matter... The most likely scenario is this woman will be released without criminal charge and a file will be sent to the DPP.’