Cork man charged with threat to kill asks judge to send him to jail

Defendant told judge he did not need a solicitor and was 'sick and tired of this nonsense', and said: 'You may as well lock me up'

When Judge tried to ask defendant how he wished to proceed with the case, he shouted: 'I don’t care about you addressing me.' File picture: Dan Linehan

A man charged with making an alleged threat to kill another individual asked the presiding judge to send him to jail during an angry outburst at a recent sitting of Skibbereen District Court.

When evidence of the arrest, charge and caution of Seamus Cullen, of 9, St Barrahane’s Avenue, Castletownshend, Co Cork, was given, the court was told he replied: “I will go to jail, fuck it” when the charge was put to him.

When Judge Joanne Carroll tried to ask Cullen how he wished to proceed with the case, Cullen shouted: “I don’t care about you addressing me.” 

Cullen said the charge against him was “bullshit” and insisted he would ask as many questions as he could when the judge tried to address him.

Cullen said he did not need a solicitor and was “sick and tired of this nonsense”, and said: “You may as well lock me up.” 

Cullen then walked out of the court and attempted to leave the building before being prevented from doing so as he was under arrest.

A short time later, Cullen was brought back into the courtroom, where he agreed to a solicitor being appointed for him. 

He was remanded on bail on his own bond of €200 to appear again on January 27, 2026. Cullen was ordered to sign on twice a week at Skibbereen Garda Station, to be contactable by mobile phone and to have no contact with the alleged injured party.

This article is funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme