Farmer denies rifle threats to gardaí during stand-off

A 47-year-old farmer has appeared in court charged with aiming a telescopically fitted rifle at two gardaí, arising out of a stand-off on the Ring of Kerry last January.

The matter, which is being denied, is to go forward to the Circuit Court, Kenmare District Court was told.

John Joe Kissane of Eirk, Muckross, Killarney, is charged that, at that location on January 16, he threatened to kill or cause serious harm to Garda Denis O’Brien with a Winchester .270 rifle fitted with telescopic sight. He is charged with a similar offence against Garda Sean O’Regan.

The alleged offences are contrary to both the Firearms and Non Fatal Offences Against the Person Acts.

His solicitor, Padraig O’Connell, said his client had replied “a double no” to both charges.

Superintendent Flor Murphy, prosecuting, said the DPP had directed trial on indictment and the book of evidence was being prepared. Judge James O’Connor agreed to adjourn the matter to November, remanding Mr Kissane on continuing bail.

A five-hour stand-off took place on January 16 after gardaí called to the house at Eirk on the Ring of Kerry. Back-up negotiators, garda senior officers, and the Armed Regional Response Unit were called to the scene, but the siege ended without incident.