Leitrim man charged with dangerous driving and criminal damage following incident at Russian Embassy gates

Desmond Wisley, of Tully, Ballinamore, Leitrim, has been charged with dangerous driving and criminal damage after a lorry crashed into the gates of the Russian embassy in Dublin on Orwell Road on Monday afternoon.

The 49-year-old, who runs an ecclesiastical supplies company, appeared at Tallaght District Court in south Dublin on Tuesday morning.

The embassy has been the scene of protests following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24.

Appearing before Judge Patricia McNamara, Wisley was not represented by a solicitor.

He removed his face mask to confirm his name.

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He was bailed on a bond of €300 on condition that he does not enter Orwell Road or Aileysbury Road, does not post about the case on social media, and does not contact staff at the embassy.

Speaking to reporters outside court, Wisley thanked Irish police for the “professionalism, courtesy, kindness” they have displayed since his arrest.

He said: “It shows us how democracy should work.”

Wisley spoke of a need to “keep the pressure on (Russian President Vladimir) Putin, to stop the war in Ukraine, and especially the murder of innocent children”.

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He also thanked his wife and three children for “standing by him”.

He will appear in court again on April 26.