Tried to set fire to garda station wheelie bin
A judge reluctantly jailed a man while commenting: “Again this is a man who has been forgotten by the mental health services. He shouldn’t be where he is.”
Judge Finnegan’s remarks were made in respect of Ciaran Brady (54) from Aghatoten, Tullyvin, who appeared at Cavan District Court charged with setting fire to the contents of a wheelie bin outside Cootehill Garda Station last St Stephen’s Day, December 26, 2025, and with smearing his excrement on the cell walls at Cavan Station the day after, December 27.
The incident occurred just days after Brady had been released from prison, December 23.
Brady was represented in court by solicitor Damien Rudden, and appeared before Cavan District Court via video-link from Castlerea Prison.
The court heard that Brady, who has a history of making threats, including one that he would “nuke” Cavan Town, and another involving a threat to a mental health worker, called gardaí on the date in question to tell them he was going to “smash” the windows of the local station.
He then entered the rear of the property and removed a wheelie bin before trying to set the contents alight out front. When gardaí did arrive, Brady asked what “took them so long?”
At Cavan station the court heard that Brady “defecated” in his hands before smearing it on the cell walls. Professional cleaning was required after.
Brady had 43 previous convictions, 14 of which are for criminal damage. Four are for threats to cause criminal damage, and there is another for making a threat to kill or cause harm.
His most recent was several consecutive sentences at Cavan Circuit Court last November.
It was explained to the court that Brady suffers from schizophrenia.
Judge asked, if it was a case that Brady wants to be in prison, that it has become almost a safe space for the defendant.
To that, Sergeant Damien Galligan said Brady’s actions “didn’t surprise us”.
The judge imposed two consecutive three month jail terms on the two criminal damage matters, taking into account all others.