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.