Man (57) charged with vandalising Eamon de Valera’s headstone

A Dublin man accused of vandalising the headstone of former president and taoiseach Eamon de Valera told gardaí he was guilty, a court has heard.

John Moore (57), Cherrymount Crescent, Clontarf, Dublin 3, was ordered to stay away from all members of the de Valera family Thursday.

He was arrested at Glasnevin cemetery at 3.15pm on Wednesday. He was then brought to Mountjoy Garda station and detained before he was charged with causing criminal damage to Eamon de Valera’s headstone and unlawful possession of knives in connection with the alleged incident.

He was held overnight and brought to appear before Judge Anthony Halpin at Dublin District Court on Thursday morning.

Garda John Beckett told the court that the defendant’s reply to the criminal damage charge was “I’m guilty” and his response to the second charge was “I had a hammer”.

Judge Halpin asked the man if he had a solicitor and he replied: “I do not, no”.

Dressed in a green jacket, scarf, jeans and brown shoes he listened as Gda Beckett said there was no objection to bail with conditions.

Gda Beckett requested that the accused would stay away from Glasnevin cemetery, have no contact with the de Valera family or any of their properties or assets, sign on every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at Clontarf Garda station and reside at his current address.

Judge Halpin imposed the terms sought by the garda and remanded Mr Moore on bail in his own bond of €200 to appear again on March 30th.

When asked if he had any objection, Mr Moore said, “No, that’s fine.”

Former taoiseach and Easter 1916 Rising commander Eamon de Valera died in 1975 and was buried in Glasnevin cemetery. The graveyard is the final resting place of a number key figures in Irish history including Michael Collins, O'Donovan Rossa, Daniel O'Connell and Countess Markievicz and Charles Stewart Parnell.