Cork farmer's family rescued by armed gardaí after he terrorised them with axe

When gardaí arrived in response to the call for assistance, the accused man shouted: 'Get off my f***ing property or I will kill you. Come here and I will finish this', court heard

The incident that gave rise to the case occurred on February 12, when the defendant’s sister and parents had to lock themselves in a room to avoid him after he picked up 2ft-long axe, court told. Picture: Larry Cummins

A Co Cork farmer terrorised his own family with a long axe and they had to lock themselves into a bedroom until they were rescued by the Garda Armed Support Unit.

Now the accused man has been sentenced to two years and nine months imprisonment, with the final year suspended, by Judge Helen Boyle at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.