Corkman accused of making racial slurs to foreign nationals and hitting Garda car with clawhammer

Judge decided case was too serious to be dealt with at district court level

Accused was charged with criminal damage offence and counts of engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour and being drunk and a source of danger. File picture: Larry Cummins

A District Court judge refused to accept jurisdiction for a case involving a 35-year-old Bishopstown man who 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.

Judge Mary Dorgan heard the allegations in the case against Leon O’Connor, of Uam Var Avenue, Bishopstown, Cork, and decided the case was too serious to be dealt with at district court level.

The case was adjourned until April 10 for the Director of Public Prosecutions to give further directions.

Garda Shane Masters gave the original outline of allegations in the case: “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 f***ing 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 afterward 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.” 

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