Station attacker ‘wanted gardaí to shoot him dead’

A man accused of smashing a patrol van with a lump hammer and pulling knives in a garda station hoping he would be shot dead claimed in court: “When I am on medication I am the nicest person you will ever meet.”

Finbarr Savage, aged 43, of 119 Glenamoy Lawn, Mayfield, Cork, was remanded in custody by Judge Olann Kelleher until December 22.

Garda Dermot Broughton arrested Mr Savage on Sunday afternoon and charged him with causing criminal damage to the 2015-registered patrol van and producing two knives — one a carving knife — at Mayfield Garda Station.