A Dublin man's been given a six year sentence after being convicted of damaging a 10 million euro Claude Monet painting at the National Gallery of Ireland.
Andrew Shannon of Willans Way, Ongar had pleaded not guilty to damaging the painting entitled Argenteuil Basin with a Single Sail Boat on June 29th, 2012.
The court heard 49 year old Shannon has 48 previous convictions in this and other jurisdictions - some of which are for burglary and theft offences involving antiques.
The Monet painting is now back on display in the National Gallery following a substantial restoration.
Judge Martin Nolan imposed a sentence of six years and suspended the final 15 months on strict conditions including that Shannon not enter into a public painting gallery or any other institution or building where paintings are publically displayed.
Judge Nolan had earlier directed the jury to find Shannon not guilty of damaging two paintings at the Shelbourne hotel on January 8th, 2014.
Judge Nolan said he would not expect Shannon to know the value of the painting but he must have known the painting was valuable and historic. He said it was a “peculiar crime” and it was “abnormal” to cause damage in the way he did.
He said he was taking into account Shannon’s age and medical condition in sentencing. He said all time the Shannon had spent in custody should be taken into account.
A previous jury in the case had been discharged last December after failing to reach a verdict.
The painting was painstakingly restored and is back on display, behind protective glass.
