A Dublin man accused of punching a hole in a valuable Monet oil-painting is due to stand trial today. Andrew Shannon of Willans Way in Ongar was arrested after the piece of art was damaged at the National Gallery last June.

The painting was part of a special presentation called 'Masterpieces' and it was the only piece in the museum's collection by the French Impressionist painter Claude Monet.

It was given to the National Gallery in 1924 and it is believed to be insured for €7 million. A hole was spotted in the piece just before noon on June 29th in 2012.

Sometime later Mr. Shannon was arrested and charged with causing criminal damage to the 19th century oil canvas. The 1874 work 'Argenteuil with a Single Sailboat' was ripped while on display in the Millennium Wing.

During a previous court appearance, gardai said it will be alleged that Mr. Shannon lunged at the painting with a raised fist and punched it - a charge denied by the 48-year-old.

The extent of the damage and the cost of restoring the piece will also be laid bare when the trial gets underway before Judge Patricia Ryan today.