A 47-year-old man is due before Dublin District Court this morning charged in relation to criminal damage to a painting at the National Gallery on Friday.
The man allegedly damaged the National Gallery of Ireland’s only painting by French impressionist Claude Monet.
A large hole was made in the 1874 painting, Argenteuil Basin with a Single Sailboat, when the man allegedly lunged at it in the gallery between 11.30am and noon.
He then fell to the ground, telling security guards he had chest pains. He was taken to hospital by ambulance and was discharged after being assessed.
The man is originally from Ballymun, Dublin. Market values for substantial works by Monet are now well into the tens of millions. A water lilies painting exceeded £40 million (€50 million) at auction in 2008.
Smaller, less iconic works of quality are still likely to fetch above the £10 million mark.
Gardaí are asking anyone who visited the National Gallery on Friday morning to contact them at Pearse Street on 01 666 9000.