Latest news with #FirearmsandOffensiveWeaponsAct
Sunday World
26-05-2025
- Sunday World
Bomb squad called after teen allegedly threw simulation grenade outside hotel
The Army bomb squad had to be called in after Patrick O'Brien (18) allegedly threw the device that went off with a 'loud bang' Patrick O'Brien is facing a jury trial after a judge ruled the case was too serious to be dealt with at district court level A young man has been accused of throwing a simulation grenade from a car outside a Dublin hotel, causing a bomb scare. The Army bomb squad had to be called in after Patrick O'Brien (18) allegedly threw the device that went off with a 'loud bang' as people passed, a court was told. He is facing a jury trial after a judge ruled the case was too serious to be dealt with at district court level. Judge Áine Clancy adjourned the case at Blanchardstown District Court for the preparation of a book of evidence. On examination the Army bomb squad found that the device was not viable. Photo: Stock image Mr O'Brien, of Peamount Road, Newcastle, Co Dublin, is charged with possession of a CO2 cartridge grenade intended to intimidate, and throwing it. Garda Sergeant Maria Callaghan said the DPP was consenting to the case being dealt with in the district court, subject to the issue of jurisdiction being considered. Judge Clancy asked for an outline of the prosecution's case so she could decide on the venue. Sgt Callaghan said the incident was alleged to have happened at the Ibis Hotel, Monastery Road, Clondalkin, on February 16 this year. It was alleged the accused had arrived at the hotel in a pick-up truck and was seen throwing an item from the vehicle. Patrick O'Brien is facing a jury trial after a judge ruled the case was too serious to be dealt with at district court level The object 'gave a loud bang' and witnesses who saw it said it resembled a grenade. It was found and the Army bomb disposal unit was called. When the item was looked at, it was thought it might be a grenade but following an examination it was deemed not to be a viable explosive device, the court heard. It was found to be a Valkan Thunder V2 CO2 simulation grenade. Judge Clancy asked whether people were around at the time. Sgt Callaghan said it happened at 5pm and there were witnesses who observed it being thrown, but nobody was harmed and there were 'no injuries or anything like that'. Such an offence carries a maximum prison sentence of five years on conviction on indictment The judge asked what size the simulation grenade was and viewed a photograph of it. Defence barrister Mark McMahon said it was 'the size of an apple'. Judge Clancy said she was refusing jurisdiction. This means the case will be sent for trial to the circuit court, which has greater potential sentencing powers. A book of evidence is required before Mr O'Brien can be sent forward and the judge adjourned the case to July 8. She extended the deadline for service of the book and remanded O'Brien on continuing bail. The accused has not yet entered a plea to the charge, which is under Section 9 (5) of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act and carries a maximum prison sentence of five years on conviction on indictment. Patrick O'Brien is facing a jury trial after a judge ruled the case was too serious to be dealt with at district court level News in 90 Seconds - May 26th 2025
Sunday World
16-05-2025
- Sunday World
Donegal woman who smashed bottle over ex's head had been ‘pushed too far'
Fiona McInerney appeared at Letterkenny District Court after smashing a glass bottle over the man's head. A Co Donegal woman who smashed a bottle over her partner's head after she became fed-up with his drinking habits has been ordered to enter a peace bond. Fiona McInerney attacked her former partner after she was 'pushed to her wits end.' Ms McInerney, appeared at Letterkenny District Court after smashing a glass bottle over the man's head after a verbal altercation on March 5th, 2023. The court was told that the injured party suffered cuts to his head and shoulder following the attack at Robinson Hall, Port Road, Letterkenny. The accused, who was present in court, has no previous convictions. Fiona McInerney. Photo: Newspix News in 90 Seconds - May 16th The woman's solicitor, Mr Frank Murphy, said it was a case that the woman had simply 'been pushed too far' and that she was otherwise of good character. He said that on the night in question the victim had again consumed a large quantity of alcohol. 'She (Ms McInerny) was simply pushed too far. She was at her wits end and had lost it and struck him with a bottle,' said Mr Murphy. Ms McInerney, aged 40, was charged with a Section 3 assault of the injured party. A further charge of Production of Article under Section 11 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act was struck out. The court was told that the couple were no longer in a relationship and were living at separate locations. Judge Eiteain Cunningham canvassed for a victim impact statement but was later told there was no statement forthcoming. Passing sentence, Judge Cunningham said she had considered the matter in detail as the accused had no previous convictions, that she had entered a plea to the charge and had also considered the mitigation offer by solicitor Mr Murphy. She added that she was also aware that the couple were no longer in a relationship and that there were other orders in place. However, she stressed to the court that this was still a very serious matter and the fact remained that it was a Section 3 assault. She said she planned to deal with the matter by ordering Ms McInerney to sign a peace bond for a 12 month period and warned her that she would be brought before the court again if this bond is breached.
Irish Daily Mirror
16-05-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
Woman fed up with partner's drinking habits smashes bottle over his head
A Co Donegal woman who smashed a bottle over her partner's head after she became fed-up with his drinking habits has been ordered to enter a peace bond. Fiona McInerney attacked her former partner after she was 'pushed to her wit's end.' Ms McInerney, appeared at Letterkenny District Court after smashing a glass bottle over the man's head after a verbal altercation on March 5, 2023. The court was told that the injured party suffered cuts to his head and shoulder following the attack at Robinson Hall, Port Road, Letterkenny. The accused, who was present in court, has no previous convictions. The woman's solicitor, Mr Frank Murphy, said it was a case that the woman had simply 'been pushed too far' and that she was otherwise of good character. He said that on the night in question the victim had again consumed a large quantity of alcohol. 'She (Ms McInerny) was simply pushed too far. She was at her wits end and had lost it and struck him with a bottle,' said Mr Murphy. Ms McInerney, aged 40, was charged with a Section 3 assault of the injured party. A further charge of Production of Article under Section 11 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act was struck out. The court was told that the couple were no longer in a relationship and were living at separate locations. Judge Eiteain Cunningham canvassed for a victim impact statement but was later told there was no statement forthcoming. Passing sentence, Judge Cunningham said she had considered the matter in detail as the accused had no previous convictions, that she had entered a plea to the charge and had also considered the mitigation offer by solicitor Mr Murphy. She added that she was also aware that the couple were no longer in a relationship and that there were other orders in place. However, she stressed to the court that this was still a very serious matter and the fact remained that it was a Section 3 assault. She said she planned to deal with the matter by ordering Ms McInerney to sign a peace bond for a 12 month period and warned her that she would be brought before the court again if this bond is breached.
Irish Daily Mirror
07-05-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
Woman who smashed bottle over partner's head 'pushed too far' by his drinking
A woman who smashed a bottle over the head of her partner allegedly simply had enough of his drinking, a court was told. A solicitor representing Donegal woman Fiona McInerney told Letterkenny District Court that she attacked her former partner after she was "pushed to her wits' end". Ms McInerney appeared at Letterkenny District Court after smashing a glass bottle over the man's head after a verbal altercation on March 5, 2023. The court was told that the injured party suffered cuts to his head and shoulder following the attack at Robinson Hall, Port Road, Letterkenny. The accused, who was present in court, has no previous convictions. The woman's solicitor, Mr Frank Murphy, said it was a case that the woman had simply "been pushed too far" and that she was otherwise of good character. He said that on the night in question, the victim had again consumed a large quantity of alcohol. "She (Ms McInerney) was simply pushed too far. She was at her wits' end and had lost it and struck him with a bottle," said Mr Murphy. Ms McInerney, aged 40, was charged with a Section 3 assault of the injured party. A further charge of Production of Article under Section 11 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act was struck out. The court was told that the couple were no longer in a relationship and were living at separate locations. Judge Eiteain Cunningham said she would have to canvass for a victim impact statement but said she did not think there was a need for a report from the Probation Services. She adjourned the case until May 15 next to see if there is a victim impact statement and to finalise sentencing on the basis of a guilty plea as admitted in evidence by Mr Murphy on his client's behalf. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
Sunday World
05-05-2025
- Sunday World
Man allegedly caught with knife chooses to go into custody rather than pay €100 bail
13 bench warrants had been issued for Ritvars Razma's arrest since March 2017 A factory worker accused of being found with a knife in a midlands town during the early hours of the morning has opted to go into custody instead of paying €100 cash bail. Ritvars Razma (27) of Bracklin Park, Edgeworthstown, Longford was brought before a sitting of Mullingar District Court following an incident along the mid Longford town's Pound Street on Thursday, May 1. Garda Padraig Shanley gave evidence of having arrested Razma at 1:40am for an alleged offence contrary to section 9 (1) of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act. Ritvars Razma outside Mullingar Courthouse. He said the accused was later charged shortly after 3:30am and made no reply after caution when the charge was put to him. The penalty for knife possession on summary conviction, a legal term referring to cases that are disposed of in the District Court can attract a maximum term of 12 months in prison. Judge Peter White was told there were State objections to bail based on Razma's previous record in attending court, adding 13 bench warrants had been issued for his arrest since March 2017. Those fears were outlined by the prosecuting garda who revealed how he had been made aware of a bench warrant that had been in existence for Razma during his period of detention on Wednesday. Garda Shanley said four of those had been recorded since last November alone, a statistic which he said illustrated Razma's 'total disregard' for the Irish judicial system. Ritvars Razma was arrested after being allegedly found with a knife in Edgeworthstown, Co Longford during the early hours of yesterday (Thursday) morning. When asked by Sgt Orla Keenan whether any conditions attached to Razma's bail terms would allay any fears gardaí harboured about the pet food worker's propensity to attend court, Garda Shanley simply replied: 'Not particularly, no.' Defence counsel Andrea Callan BL said her client had, in fact, showed up at Longford District Court on Tuesday in order to answer the said warrant but had been told to return home by his solicitor when it emerged it wasn't available for execution. Garda Shanley corroborated those version of events and that he wasn't aware of the outstanding warrant when he arrested the accused during the early hours of Wednesday morning. Ms Callan added Razma worked in a local dog and cat food factory, stating any curfew conditions would inflict a 'significant imposition' on him owing to his shift work patterns. Judge White said the court was compelled to consider the State's concerns regarding Razma's warrant background, but would be willing to grant bail subject to a cash lodgement being made. In remanding Razma in custody with consent to bail on his own bond of €200, a lodgement of €100 was directed along with further conditions including the provision of a mobile number within 24 hours and for the accused to remain of sober habits in a public place. Despite the case being put back for a short period to allow Razma consider lodging the required €100, the accused was led away and taken into custody by gardaí a matter of minutes later ahead of an anticipated return date before Longford District Court this Tuesday (May 6).
