Gardaí feared man could attack members if given bail

A CAR was deliberately driven into Dunmanway garda station by a man last Wednesday night and he threatened to kill a garda on duty the following day, a court has been told. 

The man appeared in custody at Bandon District Court last Friday following his arrest the previous day in Market Square in Dunmanway.

Gda Martin Hanley gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution, and he said the accused made no reply to seven charges put to him. He told Judge James McNulty that gardaí were objecting to bail due to the seriousness of the charges and his threats to garda members.

Gda Hanley told the court that at 10pm last Wednesday, a garda on duty at Dunmanway Garda Station heard a loud bang outside and saw from the CCTV that a Volkswagen Jetta was up against the door of the station.

‘He saw that the driver of the car intentionally swerved his car towards the station before exiting the car and throwing the keys at the door of the station before fleeing,’ said Gda Hanley.

The court heard that at 2.40pm the following day, the man entered the garda station beyond the public area by kicking in a door.

‘Gda Heather Chandler was upstairs at the time and heard two loud bangs and went downstairs and saw a CCTV monitor on the desk and a phone on the floor.’ Gda Hanley said his colleague then saw the man with a bottle of brandy and he was shouting abuse at her and said “I will fucking kill you, you pig garda.”

The court heard that Gda Chandler, who feared for her safety, managed to get the man outside the station and he was later arrested.

Gda Hanley said that gardaí fear that if the man was given bail, he could attack garda members.

‘Gardaí are highly concerned given these two incidents and the serious threats he made to Gda Chandler and we feel he is unstable at the moment,’ said Gda Hanley.

Judge McNulty was told that the man has been drinking heavily due to a recent death in the family.

Solicitor Ray Hennessy said that the man’s sister and brother were in court and would give an undertaking to place their brother into psychiatric care at Bantry Hospital if he was released on bail.

Judge McNulty released the man on bail in his own bond of €1,000 and directed that he leave court in the care of his brother and sister in order for him to see his GP and to then admit himself to the psychiatric unit of Banty Hospital.

Judge McNulty also directed that the accused abstain from alcohol while out on bail.

‘Gardaí have liberty to re-enter matters if he discharges himself from hospital, consumes alcohol, or misbehaves in any way,’ said Judge McNulty.

Judge McNulty adjourned the case until October 18th and excused the man from attending court, provided he is still a patient at Bantry Hospital.