Armed support unit had to help arrest man who had barricaded himself in Cork City shop

The court was told the defendant 'was in a drug-induced psychosis' at the time

At Cork District Court the culprit has been sentenced to a total of 13 months in prison arising out of this and another incident. File picrure: Larry Cummins

Members of the Armed Support Unit had to assist in the arrest of a man who barricaded himself in a store room at the Istanbul Market premises in Cork City and set off fire extinguishers causing extensive damage.

Now at Cork District Court the culprit has been sentenced to a total of 13 months in prison arising out of this and another incident.

Sergeant John Dineen outlined the facts of the cases against 26-year-old Kevin Buckley of 5C Shanakiel Place, Blarney, County Cork, at Cork District Court.

Aoife Buttimer, solicitor, said of the accused at the time of this incident: “He was in a drug-induced psychosis. He asked could he hide in the store. He thought he was under attack. He was seeing and hearing things.

“Things went downhill for Mr Buckley due to cocaine addiction. He left school at 15. He had a difficult upbringing. He has not had a father figure in his life. He has good support from his mother.” 

Judge Mary Dorgan imposed one sentence of eight months and another consecutive term of five months.

The two incidents

Sergeant Dineen said the criminal damage occurred at the Istanbul Market, 55 North Main Street, Cork, on September 22, 2025.

Sgt Dineen said it was alleged “the suspect entered the premises and locked himself in a room before discharging a fire extinguisher. He then barricaded himself into the room.

“The armed support unit had to assist in removing him. He caused extensive damage to stock and the premises had to be cleaned as a result of the discharge.” Sgt Dineen said the fire extinguishers cost €200 each and the clean-up cost was put at €600.

Ms Buttimer, solicitor, said the accused was pleading guilty at the earliest opportunity to this and another incident. 

The consecutive sentence of five months related to an incident where he grabbed a handbag from a young woman, breaking the chain on the bag. 

This occurred on New Year’s Eve, December 31, 2024, when a woman was travelling on the 220 bus from Carrigaline to Douglas accompanied by Kevin Buckley. He grabbed her handbag from her causing the chain on the handbag to snap, valued €15.