Off-duty garda disarmed accused in Dublin, court hears

A 39-year-old Dublin man accused of putting an imitation handgun to a shopkeeper’s head before being disarmed by an off-duty garda, has been refused bail.

Patrick Brazil, with an address at Prussia St, was arrested on Monday afternoon following a foiled raid at the Valuemart at Oxmanstown Rd, Dublin. He was brought to Mountjoy Garda Station for questioning and then appeared before Judge Anthony Halpin at Dublin District Court yesterday charged with robbery of an unknown sum of money. He was remanded in custody to appear again on Friday.

Garda Claire Rafferty said the accused made no reply when he was charged. She objected to bail citing the seriousness of the offence. She said it would be alleged that at 1.10 pm on Monday, Patrick Brazil entered the shop and produced a handgun which he allegedly put to the head of the shopkeeper.

Garda Rafferty said it would be alleged the shop worker was threatened and a demand was made for the contents of the till which were placed in carrier bag.

It was alleged he took out a 12in kitchen knife from behind the till and was then confronted by an off-duty garda and threatened him.

The court heard the garda disarmed him and restrained him until colleagues arrived. There was CCTV evidence and and the weapon turned out to be an imitation handgun, the garda said. On arrest the knife was found tucked into his boxer shorts .

She agreed with defence solicitor Eoin Lysaght there was no issue about the defendant’s address. She said Mr Brazil, who has not yet entered a plea, made no admissions. He gave evidence and asked the court to allow him bail and said he would not commit any offences if released pending trial.

However, Judge Halpin remanded him in custody to appear again at Cloverhill District Court on January 29.