Cork man made death threats to woman and wielded broken bottle at arresting gardaí

Court heard accused has 'acute mental health issues, exacerbated by polysubstance abuse'

Accused admitted making dearth threats and holding up broken bottles to gardaí. Picture Dan Linehan

A young woman was terrified to receive death threats from a man by text and voicemail and when gardaí went to arrest him he wielded broken glass bottles and resisted arrest.

Garda Kate Kelly gave evidence of Scott O’Regan threatening to kill a woman on New Year’s Eve, December 31 2022.

36-year-old Scott O’Regan, of 44 Ardmanning Avenue, Togher, Cork, pleaded guilty to making this death threat. He also admitted holding up broken bottles to gardaí when they came to arrest him on a later date.

The complainant told gardaí she was receiving voicemails and texts from Scott O’Regan that were threatening in nature and they were making her nervous.

“She was visibly upset when she made the complaint. Gardaí went to his residence on February 12, 2023, at Ardmanning Avenue.

“Scott O’Regan backed into the kitchen, armed himself with a glass bottle, broke the bottle and pointed it at gardaí. He came to the front door armed with another glass bottle and was asked to desist and was told he would be pepper-sprayed. He smashed a second bottle and pointed it at gardaí.

“Members of the Regional Support Unit entered the house but he was no longer there. He was seen on Fr Dominic Road and he actively resisted arrested,” Garda Kelly said. 

"He was initially too intoxicated to be interviewed. He later confirmed that it was his voice on the voicemails and admitted making threats against her physical wellbeing and threatening to kill her.

The injured party opted not to make a victim impact statement.

O'Regan has 50 previous convictions, including six for assault and two for assault causing harm.

Jane Hyland, defence senior counsel, said the accused had numerous referrals to psychiatric services. She said he did have an extensive period of sobriety.

“He clearly has acute mental health issues, exacerbated by polysubstance abuse.

“He accepted he was verbally very nasty. He did not realise the extent of what he said until he listened back to it on tape. He says how sorry he is for the offence and he asks for leniency,” Ms Hyland said.

Judge Helen Boyle said she would take some time to consider the evidence and she would remand him in custody for sentence on November 14.