OPW site chaos as €500k damage caused to property with vehicles overturned & driven into river & CCTV wires cut
A NUMBER of vehicles were "significantly damaged" during a "shocking" incident at a site used by the OPW staff in Kildare.
OPW employees reported the damage at Donaghcumper House today upon returning to the site after months away.
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Gardai confirmed that a criminal damage investigation had been launched
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It is understood that the cost of the damage to the OPW will be in excess of €500,000
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A number of vehicles have been reported as damaged
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It is understood that the cost of the damage to the OPW will be in excess of €500,000.
The property is used to transfer staff to and from Castletown House in Celbridge.
Four vehicles were overturned, a construction vehicle was driven into a river and four CCTV towers on the site were "significantly damaged" over the Bank Holiday weekend.
It is also understood that a number of incidents took place at the site, including fire damage to outbuildings and staff welfare facilities between April 22 and April 30.
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Minister of State for the Office of Public Works, Kevin 'Boxer' Moran said that the incident is "shocking and unacceptable."
He added: "This criminal damage to State property owned and managed by the OPW is shocking and unacceptable.
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"At this time, the safety and wellbeing of OPW staff is of paramount importance."
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The OPW told the Irish Sun that they already has significant security infrastructure in place at Donaghcumper and has added to this on the advice of An Garda Síochána.
In a statement, they said: "On Thursday, 10 April 2025, staff of the OPW returned to their workplace in Castletown House.
"To provide access for OPW staff to their workplace, they reported to Donaghcumper House, Celbridge and were transported via OPW-owned and branded vehicles to Castletown House.
"Over the period 22 to 30 April 2025 a number of incidents took place in the Donaghcumper House site, including fire damage to outbuildings and staff welfare facilities."
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They continued: "Over the course of the May Bank Holiday weekend a number of OPW and contractor vehicles as well as four CCTV towers on the site were significantly damaged.
"At this time, the safety and wellbeing of OPW staff is of paramount importance."
Gardai confirmed that a criminal damage investigation had been launched.
A Garda spokesperson said: "Gardaí are investigating a reported incident of criminal damage on a site in Celbridge Co
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"A number of vehicles have been reported as damaged.
"Enquiries are ongoing."
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Four vehicles were overturned, a construction vehicle was driven into a river and four CCTV towers on the site were "significantly damaged" over the Bank Holiday weekend
Credit: Supplied
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