Man accused of threatening to burn down Garda station

A MAN appeared in court yesterday after he allegedly threatened to set himself alight and burn down a Garda station in west Dublin.

It is thought to be the fourth such incident at Tallaght Garda Station, and comes nearly 10 years after Sergeant Andy Callinan tragically lost his life after a man set himself on fire at the station.

Paul Leonard, 27, from Fettercairn Road, Tallaght, was charged with endangerment and threatening to damage property.

He reportedly walked into Tallaght Garda Station shortly after 1am yesterday and poured petrol over himself.

He is then alleged to have held a cigarette lighter and threatened to set himself alight.

Gardaí rang the fire brigade and tried to negotiate with the man. They succeeded in calming him down after about an hour.

He was arrested and detained at Tallaght Garda Station.

He was taken to Tallaght District Court later yesterday morning where he was charged on two counts.

He was charged with making a threat to Garda Ciarán Loughrey that he would damage Tallaght Garda Station, contrary to Section 3 of the Criminal Damage Act, 1991.

He was further charged with intentionally or recklessly engaging in conduct which created a substantial risk of death or serious harm to another, contrary to Section 13 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act,

Mr Leonard was remanded in custody to appear at Cloverhill District Court next Tuesday.

In July 1999, Sgt Callinan, 36, from Thurles, Co Tipperary, died after he attempted to save the life of a man who set himself on fire in Tallaght Garda Station.