Hitchhiker was told he would be set alight if he did not pay for lift, court hears

Judge Keane said that not only did Mr Joyce 'put himself in some form of jeopardy on this occasion but there were two small children and a pregnant woman also at risk'

Judge Keane said that she was refusing bail due to the seriousness of the charge and remanded Mr Joyce in custody to September 4 to Ennis District Court. File picture

A 30-year old Ennis man threatened a hitchhiker that he would set him alight after pulling out a plastic bottle full of petrol if he did not pay money for his lift, it has been alleged in court.

At Ennis District Court, Garda Amy O’Connor told the court that when Brian Joyce made the alleged ‘light you up’ threat to John Hourihan, Mr Joyce’s pregnant partner was driving and their two young children aged seven and nine were back-seat passengers along with two puppy dogs.