Cork man threatened staff at pub he would burn it down and was later seen in area carrying bow and arrow

Judge said she did not want to send the defendant to jail and said she would like to see the possibility of restorative justice being explored to deal with the matter

Accused pleaded guilty to several charges arising out of a number of incidents at or near the Southern Star on Southern Road, Cork City. Picture: Larry Cummins

A 58-year-old Cork man threatened staff at the Southern Star pub and was later seen carrying a bow and arrow — and now the sentencing judge has suggested the matter could be dealt with by way of restorative justice.

Diarmuid O’Donovan, of 3 Marble Lane, High Street, Cork, pleaded guilty to several charges arising out of a number of incidents at or near the Southern Star on Southern Road, Cork City.

Sergeant John Dineen said the 58-year-old man made threats to burn down the pub and then walked away, and he was later seen hanging around the area with a bow and arrow.

Frank Buttimer, solicitor, submitted in relation to Mr O’Donovan: “He did not put someone in fear. He did not make any threat to anyone. In fact, he was going to return it to a person who left it behind at his house… He never entered the pub — the closest he got was to the door.” 

Judge Mary Dorgan said: “The problem is the threat.” The judge went on to express concern with the fact certain people were turning up at the defendant’s house and staying there. 

The judge advised him: “You cannot be a soft touch when they are dragging you down.” 

Mr O’Donovan said he would have to go about getting barring orders against some people coming to his home.

The judge said she did not want to send him to jail and said she would like to see the possibility of restorative justice being explored to deal with the matter. To that end, Judge Dorgan put sentencing back until April 22 and also urged him to seek barring orders and to change the locks on his house.

As well as making the threat and carrying the weapon on March 10, 2025, he also assaulted a member of staff at Tesco Express in the area on May 15, 2025.

Sentencing on that charge was also put back for a month.