Security gates have been rammed outside several Irish government and state-owned buildings in Dublin.

The sites affected included gates outside the Oireachtas (Irish Parliament) and the Irish president’s official residence in Phoenix Park and the Customs House.

Gardaí (Irish police) said a man in his 40s was detained on suspicion of traffic offences after a crash on Merrion Street Upper, which is near the parliament.

They said they are investigating the incidents as road traffic collisions and “criminal damage”.

It has not yet been confirmed if all the incidents are linked but the gates were all damaged during the early hours of Friday morning.

Irish broadcaster RTÉ has reported that at least three sets of gates at Government Buildings, on Upper Merrion Street, were damaged.

It said gates outside the Department of the Taoiseach (Irish PM), were struck by a van.