The teenager who broke into Leinster House targeted a rare copy of the 1916 proclamation, it has emerged.
The Irish Mirror has established that the 16-year-old wrote graffiti on a framed original proclamation, which is in the main entrance foyer of the historic building. The proclamation was signed by former President Sean T O’Kelly – who took part in the 1916 rising at the GPO in Dublin’s O’Connell Street.
Sources have told the Mirror the teenager – who gardai believe accessed the parliament on Saturday by jumping over a wall from the adjoining National Gallery of Ireland on Merrion Square – took the framed proclamation off the wall and wrote graffiti on the back of it.
Read more: Teenager arrested following Leinster House break-in
The Mirror have also established that the teen removed the Irish and EU flags for their housings close by, but did not damage them. Sources also stressed that the teen did not gain access to the Dail chamber or the Seanad and was quickly arrested by gardai on Saturday afternoon.
He was then brought to Pearse Street Garda Station and was questioned for several hours before being released without charge. The Mirror have established that the suspect is now unlikely to face any prosecution for the break in – because he is a minor.
Instead, he is likely to be dealt with under the Youth Diversion Programme – which is an alternative to prosecution. That is administered by the Garda Youth Diversion Bureau, which is led by a chief Superintendent.
That office is expected to be sent a file on the case in the coming days and will then decide if the teen should be admitted to the programme, which means he will not have a criminal record..
Admittance is not automatic, but sources said gardai believed he would be admitted to the scheme. A Garda spokesman said yesterday: “The male juvenile teenager has been released without charge and a file is being prepared for the Garda Youth Diversion Programme.”
It’s not the first time security has been breached at the site. In 2014, a teen breached security to run toward the entrance to Leinster House carrying a sword and knives – only to be taken down by an unarmed garda. The teen escaped a court conviction and was ordered to carry out 200 hours of community service.
Dublin District Court heard the teen was angry at the government’s austerity measures at the time. Several TDs yesterday spoke of their alarm at the break in.
The Cathaoirleach of the Seanad, Senator Jerry Buttimer, described the break-in as “a very serious breach of security that must be investigated”.
Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore, a member of the Oireachtas Commission which oversees the running of Leinster House, described the intrusion as “worrying”, adding that “it’s important that security is examined and any gaps are identified and rectified quickly”.
And Fine Gael TD Alan Farrell called for a review of security at Leinster House following the incident. He told RTÉ Radio One’s This week: “It’s a very worrying incident.
“I can think of a prior incident involving an individual who tried to storm the building with a samurai sword. This sort of occasion unfortunately is not unique.
“The security of the building is not usually called in to question. At 4pm on a Saturday afternoon, the building is usually secure, so it is a very unusual set of circumstances. It warrants a thorough investigation.”
A spokesperson for the House of the Oireachtas said that it does not comment on security matters.
Read next:
Lewis Capaldi's Dublin gig suddenly postponed due to 'illness'
Met Eireann's stunning bank holiday Monday forecast with sunshine and 20C temps
Family of Rachel Callaly furious over killer Joe O'Reilly freedom bid
Una Healy opens up on 'worst six months' of her life after 'throuple' rumours
Join our new WhatsApp community! Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Sign up to the Dublin Live Newsletter to get all the latest Dublin news straight to your inbox.
