​Man charged with false imprisonment after alleged Cork 'hostage' situation​

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, it was alleged today, writes Liam Heylin.

Detective Garda Malcolm Walsh arrested Bernard Ring, aged ​28, of 122 Kilbarry Place, Farranree, Cork, charged him ​and brought him before Cork District Court ​today on false imprisonment charges.

Detective Garda Walsh said the prosecution was opposed to bail being granted to the accused because of the seriousness of the ​alleged incident at the house on St. Mary’s Avenue, Gurranbraher early ​today.

“It is alleged that he held his mother and her partner hostage at St. Mary’s Avenue and that the front door was barricaded," he said​.

“It is alleged that he made threats that he was not going to be taken alive.

“A decision was made for armed gardaí to search the residence. He stood at the top of the stairs and refused to comply with garda directions to come down.

“He is alleged to have thrown a gas cylinder on top of a member of the armed unit. His mother appeared and she had blood stains and cuts to her head. She said her partner had been badly assaulted.

“He threatened to throw a 25 kg dumbbell down on top of gardaí. It is alleged he threw a glass mirror on top of gardaí,” Detective Garda Walsh said.

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

Mr ​Ring told his solicitor that he would definitely show up to face trial and would adhere to any bail conditions. Insp. Ronan Kenneally said the allegations were too serious and the gardaí were concerned ​Mr ​Ring would return to the house if granted bail.

Judge Olann Kelleher said

​“There is​ a constitutional right to bail in normal circumstances but these were not normal circumstances.”

Bail was refused and Mr ​Ring was remanded in custody until September 22.

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