Spray-paint ‘Marry Me?’ on roof in Cork city leads to criminal damage charge

A large painted message on a building in Cork had the appearance of a marriage proposal, but now the man accused of causing thousands of euro in damage has walked up the aisle of Cork District Court.

The painted words consisted of “Marry Me? Chippy”.

John Barrow, aged 22, of Glencree Crescent, Cork, faces a charge of causing criminal damage to the building during the summer.

Garda Ben Donovan charged him with a count, stating: 

“On a date unknown between August 11 and August 13 at Penrose Wharf, Cork, in the district court area of Cork city, did without lawful excuse, damage property, to wit, spray painting ‘Marry Me? Chippy’, causing damage to the roof of Penrose Wharf to the value of €7,377, intending to damage such property or being reckless as to whether such property would be damaged.”

Originally, the estimate of damage was put at €7,377.

Now at Cork District Court, Sergeant John Dineen has clarified that, without Vat, the amount of damage was put at €6,500.

Judge Mary Dorgan said that, in light of the amount of the damage, she considered the case too serious to be dealt with at district court level.

The case was then adjourned by Judge Dorgan, on the application of Sgt Dineen, until January 28, 2026, for further directions from the DPP.