Published: Wednesday, 4th August, 2010 5:00pm

Defendant threatened to burn garda's house

A man who threatened to burn a garda's home has been directed to complete a community service order when he appeared at Virginia District Court charged with public order offences.

Derek Ward, 53 Mount Saint Joseph, Kingscourt, was ordered to do 100 hours in lieu of three months in prison for failing to comply with a garda direction at Main Street, Kingscourt, on April 4.

Charges of using or engaging in threatening behaviour and being intoxicated on the same occasion were proven but taken into account.

Inspector Seamus Boyle told the court that the defendant had made threats to Garda Cathal Mugan that he would burn his house if the case proceeded. He had three previous convictions.

In evidence, Garda Mugan said at 2.45am on Sunday, April, he was on duty at Main Street, Kingscourt, in a parked patrol car with a colleague, across the road from the Dun Na Ri, nightclub. The defendant came out of the club and saw the patrol car. He made obscene gestures towards the gardaí.

He then walked across the road and stood in the middle of it forcing cars to go round him. Garda Mugan got out and spoke to Ward and directed him to leave the area. The defendant became abusive and he was again requested to leave but failed to do so. He was arrested and taken to Bailieboro Garda Station, where he was charged.

In evidence, Derek Ward stated he was going through a rough patch in his life and was on medication for depression. "I apologise to Garda Mugan for my behaviour on the night." He had no recollection of making a threat to burn Garda Mugan's house.

Judge Sean MacBride said: "Your freedom is in your hands. If you stay out of trouble I will not send you to prison." You cannot threaten to burn a garda's house, he added.

Putting the matter back until the court on October 1 for a probation report, the judge added that if the defendant got into trouble he would go away.