Cork man struck garda car with clawhammer after racial abuse incident, court told

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 A 35-year-old Bishopstown man allegedly made racial slurs to foreign nationals in and around the local leisure complex and later struck a garda patrol car twice with a clawhammer.

These allegations against Leon O’Connor of Uam Var Avenue, Bishopstown, Cork, were made by Garda Shane Masters who objected to bail being granted to the accused because of the seriousness of the case at Cork District Court.

Garda Masters alleged: “On January 22, gardaí received a report of a male making racial slurs at Leisureworld, Bishopstown, to a number of foreign nationals, both inside and outside the complex.

“On arrival at the scene, gardaí met with a man known to them as Leon O’Connor. He was identified by staff as the individual making the slurs.

“He was given a direction to leave the area in a peaceful and orderly manner. He was informed by management that he was no longer welcome at the leisure centre. Leon O’Connor left the area.

“Gardaí were subsequently dispatched to an unrelated incident. On the way, they encountered Leon O’Connor who was on foot.

“Upon observing gardaí, he shouted at the patrol car, ‘I will fucking get ye.’ 

“While doing this he was making threatening hand gestures by showing his fist to the gardaí. Members of the public were in the area on the footpath at the time.

“Gardaí parked up at Elton Lawn, Bishopstown, and Leon O’Connor approached the patrol car. He was wearing a snood and black gloves and had a clawhammer in his hand. He subsequently struck the patrol car twice with the clawhammer before making off.

“Leon O’Connor afterwards made his way back to Leisureworld where he continued to have the hammer in his possession. Gardaí apprehended him as he approached the complex front entrance and was subsequently arrested for the offence of criminal damage.” 

Charges

He was charged with that offence and counts of engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour and being drunk and a source of danger.

Cross-examined by solicitor Frank Buttimer in the bail application, Garda Masters described Leon O’Connor as highly volatile and said that at the time of his arrest on his way back to the leisure complex he had been “seeking retribution”.

Mr Buttimer said he was not calling the accused to give evidence but submitted that it was a suitable case for bail on conditions.

Judge Mary Dorgan refused bail and said that the allegation that he used a clawhammer on a patrol car in which gardaí were sitting was a very serious matter.

The judge remanded the accused in custody until January 30 to allow time for directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions. Reacting to the possibility of being assessed in prison, Leon O’Connor said: “I fully object to any assessment and I will not cooperate with that.” 

He added that the only medical attention he needed was a dental appointment.