Man accused of brandishing axe at gardaí, telling them: 'Come up here and I'll take your head off'

Irish Examiner

17-07-2025

Gardaí dealing with a report of domestic violence at a family home encountered a man brandishing an axe at the top of the stairs, threatening gardaí he would take their heads off if they came upstairs.
These allegations were made on Thursday at an in camera hearing of Cork District Court, where the 30-year-old man was charged with two counts under the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act on Wednesday night, July 16. One count relates to an axe, the other to a knife.
Garda David Kiely objected to bail being granted to the man.
Garda Kiely testified that after 8pm on July 16, gardaí responded to a call from a woman that her adult son was causing a disturbance at the family home and they wished gardaí to speak with him.
'Gardaí entered the residence with permission and were met with [the defendant] at the top of the stairs brandishing an axe and threatening gardaí.
'He waved the axe towards gardaí and stated: 'Come up here and I'll take your head off… Come and see what I'll do to you… You're nothing but a useless c***'.
'A standoff continued until the intervention of the Armed Support Unit, where the accused surrendered to gardaí.'
Frank Buttimer, defence solicitor, said members of his client's family had approached him since Wednesday night to indicate they did not want the accused man remanded in custody and the best course would be to have him at home and in compliance with directions from mental health services.
Judge William Aylmer granted bail on strict conditions, including he would have only respectful communications with his parents and not put them in fear, be of good behaviour at the family home, advise gardaí if changing address, engage with mental health services, be of sober habits, sign on once a week at his local Garda station, abstain from intoxicants and not take unprescribed medications.
The accused was remanded on that bail until July 30.