HSE man’s family ‘flee their home in fear’

The family of a HSE official had last week moved out of their home in Cork, in fear, because a man before the court allegedly daubed offensive graffiti on cemetery headstones at a republican plot and painted the innocent man’s name and phone number on the graves.

The damage was committed just days before last weekend’s Easter 1916 commemorations.

Detective Garda Jim Kearney said the man whose name appeared with the graffiti on the headstones at St Finbarr’s cemetery had nothing to do with it.

The victim, who was not named in court yesterday, has moved out of his home in fear with his family.

David Cooper, aged 52, who lives at an apartment at 7 Southern Rd, Cork, was arrested and brought before Cork District Court on a charge of causing criminal damage by writing graffiti on headstones at the cemetery on Mar 28/29 last.

Judge Con O’Leary asked if the HSE official was in court. Det Garda Kearney said the man did not want to come to court. However, he had spoken to the detective and disclosed he had moved out of his house for a period and that he and his wife were very upset and distressed by the incident.

The official received a phone call last weekend asking him if he had some problem with the republican plot in the cemetery. He went to the cemetery where he met with Sinn Féin members and he assisted in removing the graffiti David Cooper is charged with putting on the headstones.

Judge O’Leary expressed concern during the hearing that some people might mistakenly think the person whose name was on the headstones had something to do with it. The judge also referred to the passionate sensitivities of some people at this time of year in relation to republican matters.

Mr Cooper was brought before a special sitting of Cork District Court on Thursday night where Judge O’Leary remanded him in custody until yesterday to consider bail.

Mr Cooper said yesterday: “I’m very aware of the serious nature of what I caused.”

The accused said he had spent two days drinking vodka and cider and not taking his prescribed medication, and this created problems. He said drinking like that was totally out of character for him.

Mr Cooper’s solicitor Frank Buttimer said his client had no difficulty with abiding by strict bail conditions.

Judge O’Leary adjourned the case to Cork District Court again on Apr 17 on the application of Inspector Gary McPolin.

Mr Cooper was granted bail on seven conditions, namely that he reside at Southern Rd, abide by a 9pm-8am curfew, sign twice a day at Anglesea St Garda station, has no contact with any employee of the HSE except in relation to medical or psychiatric treatment, remain away from graveyards and all republican monuments, does not permit any alcohol to be at his residence, and has no contact with a person, whose name is with gardaí, as accompanying him at the time of the alleged offence.