I wheely wanted to talk to Leo
GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS GATECRASHER:
A DRIVER who ploughed into the gates of Government Buildings told gardai she wanted a meeting with Leo Varadkar.
A major security alert was launched when the woman rammed the barriers at Merrion Street Upper in Dublin.
She was arrested and her car taken for examination. Officers were continuing to question her last night.
No one was injured in the incident which took place shortly after 10am.
A source said: “She was saying she wanted to get in to meet the Taoiseach.
“The damage to the gate and her Nissan Micra was minimal. She just wanted to drive the car into Government Buildings and speak to Leo.
“She was taken to Pearse Street and she was being questioned up until last night in relation to the incident.
“Her time of detention has been extended and it is likely she will be either charged or released pending a file to the Director of Public Prosecutions.”
The woman, who is in her 50s and from a well-known family in the Drimnagh area of the capital,
was said to be “in a confused and stressed state”.
A source added: “She seemed angry at the Government and even said at one point she wanted to hand over her car to the Taoiseach.
“Every parameter of the incident will be explored but it certainly is not terrorist-related.
“It seems to be a personal grudge.”
Following the alert a Garda spokesman said: “Shortly after 10am a car struck the gate of Government Buildings at Merrion Street Upper. There were no reported injuries.
“The driver of the car, a woman in her 50s, was arrested at the scene and taken to Pearse Street Garda station where she is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984. Enquiries are ongoing.”
It is not the first occasion in recent years that someone with a grievance has tried to get into the seat of power.
In 2014, Jordan Buckley attempted to storm Leinster House carrying his great-grandfather’s 1916 Rising sword.
The 19-year-old was also carrying knives. He received community service for the attack.
Shortly before Christmas, Dublin City Council installed armoured barriers disguised as flower pots across popular shopping areas.
They are positioned at the various entrances of Grafton Street and Henry Street.
The planters act as blockades for heavy vehicles and are intended to stop a terror attack such as those seen in London, Barcelona and Nice.
Similar barriers can be found across Europe’s major cities.