Corkman accused of smashing windows of Garda station and patrol car with hatchet

Accused was arrested on Thursday and charged with criminal damage, court heard

Accused is also charged that on November 9 at Gurranabraher Garda Station on Bakers Road, Cork, he had in his possession a Stanley knife. File picture: Denis Minihane

A man accused of smashing windows at Gurranabraher Garda Station with a hatchet and also causing criminal damage to a Garda patrol car was brought before Cork District Court.

Roy Philpott, of 2 Spriggs Road, Gurranabraher, Cork, was arrested on Thursday afternoon, November 9, and he appeared in court on Friday.

The 40-year-old was charged with four counts.

The first stated he attended at Gurranabraher Garda Station and smashed windows of a Garda patrol car.

A similar count alleged he caused criminal damage to windows and glass panes in the front of the Garda station building on the same occasion.

He is also charged that on November 9 at Gurranabraher Garda Station on Bakers Road, Cork, he had in his possession a Stanley knife. 

Finally, Roy Philpott is charged with being in possession of a black and orange handled hatchet with a blade which was sharply pointed.

Judge Mary Dorgan asked Garda Paul Dunphy if the gardaí were opposed to bail being granted to the accused and he said there was no Garda objection to bail.

Garda Dunphy sought one condition of bail requiring the accused to sign on at the Garda station between 9am and 9pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday of each week.

Sergeant Pat Lyons applied for the adjournment until January 24, 2024, which was granted by Judge Dorgan. 

Aoife Buttimer, solicitor, was appointed to represented Roy Philpott on free legal aid.

The background circumstances that gave rise to the charges were not outlined during the brief hearing. It was reported that a man caused damage at the station shortly after 2pm on November 9.