Man painted anti-Muslim slogans on takeaway wall in Limerick

A man who had watched beheadings by Muslim extremists on television painted the slogan “murderers out” on a takeaway run by a Pakistani family.

Mark Hobbs had previously threatened to kill Ali Aslan, owner of Megabites takeaway in Kilmallock, Co Limerick, with a kitchen knife after watching TV reports of the murder of British soldier Lee Rigby.

Mr Rigby was hacked to death by two British Muslim coverts on a street in Woolwich, London, in 2013.

Hobbs also admitted painting the takeaway with the slogans “Pakis out now”, “perverts”, “shit”, and, “c***s” in white paint.

After his arrest, Hobbs, aged 50, of Lord Edward St, Kilmallock, Co Limerick, told gardaí he believed Muslims wanted to “take over and kill” everyone.

Hobbs pleaded guilty at Limerick Circuit Court to causing criminal damage at Megabites on September 14, 2014.

Hobbs was previously convicted of threatening to kill Mr Aslan with a kitchen knife in 2013, for which he received a community service order.

At a sentencing hearing yesterday for painting the offensive slogans, the court was shown CCTV footage from Megabites, which showed Hobbs in the act.

After his arrest Hobbs told gardaí: “I know they’re anti-English people.” When officers asked why he believed this, Hobbs said: “Because they are Muslims.” He denied he was a racist.

Yesterday, Hobbs offered an apology to Mr Aslan.

Speaking in the witness box, Hobbs said he was going through “a breakdown” after his father died.

“After my dad died I just went to pieces,” he said. “It just sort of took me over... I was staying awake for two to three days drinking.”

Judge O’Donnell said he needed time to consider his sentence on the criminal damage charge against Hobbs.

“I find this extremely disturbing,” he said.

Hobbs was remanded on continuing bail.