Irish Daily Mirror

Teenage ‘vandal’ caught on ’third’ break-in

Leinster House trespass kid’s ‘month-long spree’

- EXCLUSIVE BY MICHAEL O’TOOLE Crime Correspond­ent news@irishmirro­r.ie

THE teenage suspect who broke into Leinster House allegedly trespassed in the same building just a fortnight ago – and also targeted the HQ of Ireland’s diplomatic corps, it has been claimed.

The 16-year-old is now suspected of having carried out three break-ins in a month-long spree – but was not spotted in two of them.

A source said: “This is much more serious than people think. Saturday was not a one-off, he did two other break-ins. This is a massive breach of security. If a teenager can do it, who else can? It doesn’t bear thinking about.”

As well as Saturday’s break-in, it’s claimed he also trespassed in Leinster House around a week earlier – and the nearby Iveagh House, home to the Department of Foreign Affairs. That incident is believed to have taken place on May 20, two weeks before Saturday’s break-in, sources claim.

We’ve also learned that gardai only became aware of the first two incidents when they arrested the teen and seized a phone.

Sources say a technical examinatio­n of it is still under way, but officers have seen photos allegedly taken during Saturday’s incident – as well as the two previous break-ins. The sources allege the teen spent significan­t amounts of time in Leinster House and Iveagh House – and escaped without being spotted on each occasion.

The Irish Mirror exclusivel­y revealed on Monday that a rare original copy of the 1916 proclamati­on that was framed on a wall in the main entrance foyer to Leinster House was defaced – but now we have learned even more bizarre details, including the assailant’s admiration for the Sinn Fein leader and an infamous terrorist.

Sources have told us a wall nearby was daubed with graffiti that said, “We love you, Mary Lou” and “We love you, Osama bin Laden”.

 ?? ?? SECURE Iveagh House
SECURE Iveagh House

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