A man has gone on trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court accused of damaging a painting at the National Art Gallery in Dublin two years ago.

A swift pre-dawn burglary at Greece’s biggest state art museum netted two oil paintings by 20th century masters Pablo Picasso and Piet Mondrian.

IT has been described as the most important travelling exhibition of Dutch 17th century masterpieces ever to go on show in the National Art Gallery.

The National Art gallery is set to stage one of the most ambitious exhibitions in its history involving top European impressionists - soon after the New Year introduction of the new euro currency.