Father and son threatened officer, Garda tells court

A garda has told a jury that he witnessed a father and son threaten another garda that he would be found in a ditch.

Ian Dutton (aged 48) of Greenfort Lawns, Clondalkin has pleaded not guilty to three counts of threats to kill between September 2008 and April 2009.

His son Graham Dutton (aged 26) of the same address, pleaded not guilty to two counts of threats to kill during the same period.

Garda David Howard told Dublin Circuit Criminal Court both men made threats to Detective Garda Stuart Gleeson.

Gda Howard told Mr Colm O'Briain BL, prosecuting that he was on patrol with Det Gda Stuart Gleeson at Greenfort Lawns when he observed a car parked on the footpath.

He said the tax and insurance discs were valid but the vehicle had no NCT plate displayed.

Gda Howard said he saw Graham Dutton was coming out of his house and that he was aggressive and shouting at his mother.

He said he was also shouting abuse at him and he approached the squad car at the passenger side and began to get very aggressive.

Gda Howard said he began to make personal reference to Det Gda Gleeson, saying “that he would have him killed” and that “he’d be at the bottom of a ditch”.

“Graham Dutton was extremely serious and very venomous towards us,” said Gda Howard.

He said Ian Dutton approached the vehicle and said: “you’re days are numbered, you’ll be found in a ditch in Kerry”. He said his demeanour was very serious and sinister.

Gda Howard said under cross-examination by Mr Remy Farrell SC, defending Graham, he took the threats as very serious.

Mr Farrell put it to him that the threat about being found in the ditch came from Ian but Gda Howard disagreed.

The trial continues on Monday before a jury of six women and six men before Judge Desmond Hogan.