‘Hostage’ accused set to plead guilty

The man facing three charges related to a false imprisonment at a house where it was alleged that a gas cylinder was thrown down stairs at a garda, indicated yesterday that he would be pleading guilty to all counts against him.

Bernard Ring, aged 28, of 122 Kilbarry Place, Farranree, Cork, was remanded in custody on Tuesday to appear before Cork District Court again yesterday.

His solicitor, Diarmuid Kelleher, said, “In ease of the State, he will be pleading guilty to all matters.”

Inspector Mary King said the matter was in court yesterday for directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions and that these were as yet unavailable.

Insp King asked to have the case adjourned until October 6, with the accused remanded in continuing custody to appear in court by video link from prison.

In Ring’s unsuccessful application for bail on Tuesday, it was alleged that a gas cylinder and a mirror were thrown on top of armed gardaí during a hostage situation at a house in Cork, and a threat was made to throw a 25kg dumbbell down a stairs.

Detective Garda Malcolm Walsh arrested Ring and charged him with three counts related to September 20 on St Mary’s Avenue, Gurranabraher.

“It is alleged that he held his mother and her partner hostage at St Mary’s Avenue and that the front door was barricaded. It is alleged that he made threats that he was not going to be taken alive.”

Taser and pepper spray had to be used in order to effect the arrest, the detective said.

Mr Ring is accused of three counts, namely producing a dumbbell, mirror and gas cylinder in the course of a false imprisonment.

Co-accused, Gavin Ring, aged 26, of 5 St Mary’s Avenue, Gurranabraher, Cork, has previously appeared in court on an assault charge arising out of this case.

Defence solicitor, Frank Buttimer, said there was no application for bail by Gavin Ring yesterday.

He said that if there was to be a bail application by the accused, the State would be put on notice 24 hours in advance.

Det Garda Hickey said the single charge against Gavin Ring, arising out of the investigation, was one of assault causing harm to John Joe Nevin at 5 St Mary’s Avenue, on September 20.