Thousands of euro worth of damage was done, mainly to private cars owned by gardaí, when a member of the public drove into seven cars parked outside Dundalk Garda station in the early hours of yesterday morning.
The incident in which the damage was caused happened shortly after midnight.
It is understood the motorist used his own car to drive into the forecourt of the Garda station and first crashed into the side of a patrol car parked outside the main door.
He then reversed and drove on to where five private cars were parked alongside each other and drove into each one. The final car which he struck had been parked with its boot facing out and it is thought that the rear axle of this car may have been broken.
All the cars were being inspected yesterday to assess the degree of damage done and costs of repair.
A Garda spokesman said substantial damage had been caused to both official and private vehicles.
Shortly after the incident a man in his 40s was arrested.
He was later charged with causing criminal damage, and with drinking and driving.
He has been released on bail to appear before Dundalk District Court at a later date.