Tipperary man threatened gardaí he would petrol-bomb and knife them

Gardaí were dealing with a reported disturbance in Clonmel when accused made threats to kill or cause injury, court heard

Clonmel gardaí were threatened by a man that he would petrol-bomb them. File picture: Denis Minihane

Clonmel gardaí were threatened by a man that he would petrol-bomb them and when one officer approached his house the accused warned: “If you try to step into the house without a warrant I’ll knife you.” 

Stephen Walsh, of 7 Boherduff Close, Clonmel, was arrested by Garda Ray Moore and brought before the nearest available court that was sitting on Monday, which was Cork District Court.

Garda Moore testified the alleged incidents that gave rise to charges occurred on Sunday night, July 6. Mr Walsh was charged with three counts of making threats to kill or cause serious injury to members of An Garda Síochána.

“Gardaí were dealing with a reported disturbance in Clonmel. Mr Walsh approached the car and was verbally abusive. He said he was going to petrol-bomb gardaí.

“A flicker of light was seen coming from him at the door of his house and gardaí believed he had a petrol-bomb. He became aggressive as one of the gardaí approached and he said: “If you try to step into the house without a warrant I will knife you.” 

Defence solicitor Eddie Burke said: “There was no petrol-bomb, there was no knife in the pocket, most importantly, there was no injuring of the guards. Albeit very unpleasant, there were verbal threats but nothing physical.” 

Stephen Walsh, aged 35, said he went to Waterford University Hospital to visit his father, who is extremely ill. He was upset afterwards and drank a bottle of vodka.

“I will definitely turn up in court. I was very intoxicated, I didn’t mean it. I was homeless for a while. I have accommodation now. I was off drink since January. I have a case worker and a mental health support worker. I am meant to be on medication but it wasn’t agreeing with me. I am bi-polar.

"The next day, when I came to my senses I profusely apologised to the guards."

Sergeant Aisling Murphy asked what would happen if he got more bad news. Stephen Walsh said he would not react like that and that he would have the support of a mental health worker.

Judge John King remanded him in custody with consent to bail on conditions until July 8 at Clonmel District Court. Conditions included his own bail of €300, with no cash lodgement and an independent surety of €1,000, of which €500 to be lodged.

The charges against the defendant refer to threats to kill or seriously injure Sergeant Diarmuid Moriarty, Garda Michael Mulcrone and Garda Siobhán Hayes.