Gardaí had to taser 'very, very troubled' Cork man who was self-harming, court told

The young man had breached his bail conditions by carrying a knife and taking intoxicants

The man later required sedation in hospital after being tasered, File photo: Danny Lawson/PA

A 23-year-old who has been self-harming in a number of alarming domestic incidents had to be tasered by armed response unit gardaí to bring one recent incident under control.

He later required sedation in hospital, Cork District Court heard.

The young man had restrictive bail which required him not to carry knives or take intoxicants. Judge Mary Dorgan said he had breached both conditions and she remanded him in custody on Tuesday for one week.

The case was dealt with at an in-camera hearing where the parties cannot be identified. During the application the young man told his solicitor Diarmuid Kelleher: "I have no interest in hurting anyone except myself. There won't be any more trouble."

The 23-year-old faces a number of charges including two of making death threats against men at a mental health facility between May 26 and May 27, which is to be dealt with by indictment following directions from the DPP.

Judge Dorgan said: “It is difficult to find the words for the tragic nature of this situation. It is exceedingly difficult. (His) mum has done everything she can to find him help. There have been four very significant incidents at his property.

He is very, very troubled. I wish I could unlock whatever it is that needs to happen. He is very, very unwell — patently unwell. 

The judge added that the young man would not be admitted to rehabilitation before he detoxed and they would certainly not admit him when he was taking intoxicants. Judge Dorgan said she had to balance the young man’s circumstances with the risk to the community.

“At the moment, things are out of control. It is not acceptable that he would have knives in any circumstances. I am obliged to refuse bail. I will make a very strong direction that he would be seen by the prison psychiatrist,” Judge Dorgan said.

Turning directly to the defendant, the judge said: “I want you to start the detox up there (prison). There is a future for you, for the people who love you dearly.” 

Diarmuid Kelleher, solicitor, said the defendant had been doing well on a depot injection for his mental health and was anxious to get into residential treatment.

The case was dealt with in-camera because one of the other charges faced by the young man concerns an alleged breach of a protection order where his mother was put in fear.