Man carrying axe may have been trying to free girlfriend

A man armed with an axe on the grounds of a psychiatric hospital may have been planning to attempt the release of his girlfriend from a unit in the complex.

This evidence was given by Sergeant Ray Burke yesterday during an appeal of a six-month jail term at Cork Circuit Appeals Court.

Michael McDonagh, aged 26, travelled from An Sruthain, Castlebar, Co Mayo, yesterday for his appeal.