Teenager accused of threatening to burn out supermarket manager's car asks court to sentence him 'today'

It is alleged the accused came into the supermarket on his e-scooter and went to the deli counter despite being barred from the shop and was highly abusive to staff

Teenager spoke on video link from prison and asked solicitor: Get it struck our, will you?'  Picture: Larry Cummins

A teenager who has been in custody for more than 10 weeks charged with going to the deli counter of a supermarket on his e-scooter and threatening to burn out the manager’s car, said: “I’d like to get it over and done with — I want to be sentenced today.” 

Diane Hallahan, solicitor, said at Cork District Court that 18-year-old John Heaphy, of 65 An Caisleán Drive, Ballincollig, Co Cork, had mental health issues and was finding his time in custody very difficult.

Sergeant Aisling Murphy said directions were not available from the DPP. Judge Mary Dorgan said the defendant could not enter a plea of guilty in the absence of directions.

The teenager then spoke up again on the video link from prison to his solicitor, saying: “Get it struck out, will you?” Ms Hallahan then made that application, which was refused by the judge.

Judge Dorgan remanded him in custody until April 21 but said she would require a progress report in relation to getting DPP directions on that date.

Detective Garda Bryan English said the teenager was barred from numerous shops in Ballincollig but repeatedly ignored this and returned to the stores. 

The detective said when interviewed, the teenager was asked about returning to Quish’s SuperValu in Ballincollig despite being barred, and told gardaí: “I don’t listen to no one but myself.” 

“It is alleged that he was highly abusive to staff. And in relation to the manager, he said he would burn out his car and named the make, model and year of the car driven by the manager,” Det Garda English said.

In the particular case before the court, it is alleged the accused came into the supermarket on his e-scooter and went to the deli counter despite being barred from the shop. 

It is alleged when the manager required him to leave, he made the threat about the manager’s car, allegedly saying: “I will burn it out.” 

John Heaphy is charged with engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour at the SuperValu store on January 26, as well as threatening to cause criminal damage to the car belonging to the manager of the supermarket on the same day.