Stokes pleads guilty in RTÉ door-ramming case

A man accused of causing criminal damage to the reception doors at RTÉ studios by driving his car into it has pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Paul Stokes (aged 52), of Mountpelier Parade, Monkstown admitted causing criminal damage to the RTÉ building on December 2, 2006 and causing a substantial risk of death or serious injury to another.

His guilty plea came just before a jury was sworn in for his trial. Judge Patricia Ryan remanded him for sentence later when evidence of the crime will be given.

A nolle prosequi was also entered by the State on a further charge that Stokes harassed RTÉ presenter Pat Kenny on which he was due to stand trial next January. The trial date has now been vacated.