Man remanded in custody over Garda Station fire threat

A 27-year-old man was remanded in custody today after threatening to set himself on fire and burn down a Garda Station.

Paul Leonard was accused of walking into the station in Tallaght, south Dublin in the early hours of this morning and dousing himself in petrol.

It is understood he was holding a cigarette lighter and threatened to set himself and the building on fire.

Mr Leonard from Fettercairn Road, Tallaght, appeared before Tallaght District Court on two charges.

He is accused of intentionally or recklessly endangering life, threatening the garda on duty Ciaran Loughrey and also claiming he would damage the station by starting a fire.

The Fire Brigade was called in and gardaí negotiated with the man for around 30 minutes before he calmed.

He was remanded in custody to Cloverhill Prison to appear before the District Court next week.

In 1999, Garda Sergeant Andy Callinan from Thurles, Co Tipperary died from injuries after a man entered Tallaght Garda Station and started a fire.