A law student damaged the roof of a garda van by kicking it while he was being transported following an incident in the city centre, a court has heard.

Karl Cunningham (30) caused the damage as the van was being driven from Grafton Street to a garda station in the south of the city.

Judge Eirinn McKiernan adjourned the case at Dublin District Court and said she needed to know the cost of repairing the damage before she could finalise it.

Cunningham, of The Glebe, Johnstown Bridge, Co Kildare, pleaded guilty to criminal damage.

A garda told Judge McKiernan that the Director of Public Prosecutions had directed summary disposal of the case.

This allowed it to be dealt with at district court level instead of being sent forward to Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Receipt

The garda said in evidence that the incident happened on Grafton Street last December 17.

The accused was being transported to Irishtown Garda Station in a patrol van when he kicked the roof while he was detained, causing damage to it, the court heard.

The garda said he did not have a receipt for the cost of repairing the damage that was caused.

Defence solicitor Michael French said Cunningham was a mature student who was studying for a law degree at university.

He wished to have the case dealt with as soon as possible, he said.

Judge McKiernan said she wanted to see the cost of the damage before finalising the case.

The accused was not required to address the court during the brief hearing.

His case was adjourned to a date next month.