Cork man armed with handsaw and golf club jumped on bonnet of Garda car, court told

A man armed with a handsaw and a golf club jumped up on the bonnet of a Garda car at the height of an incident in Gurranabraher, it was alleged, as a judge commented the allegations were at the higher end for the district court.

Judge Mary Dorgan said she would accept jurisdiction for the case but expressed concern it was at the more serious end in terms of that court’s jurisdiction.

Jay Walsh, 26, with an address at 10 Springvale, Old Youghal Road, Mayfield, Cork, faces charges of being drunk and a danger, engaging in threatening behaviour, and being in possession of two weapons.

Sergeant Aisling Murphy said Garda Claire McCarthy observed the incident on June 29.

“Gardaí were on mobile patrol on Cathedral Road when they observed a male armed with a saw and a golf club.

“As the marked patrol car came to a halt on Cathedral Road, he jumped on the bonnet of the patrol car. Gardaí got out of the vehicle and the suspect ran into the middle of Cathedral Road. 

“The accused was extremely agitated and aggressive. He continued to wield both weapons in a threatening and aggressive manner. He was intoxicated to such an extent that he was a danger to himself.

“Given the level of his intoxication and the fact that he was armed with a handsaw and golf club, he was a danger to members of the public in the area. Jay Walsh was unsteady on his feet and incoherent. There was a smell of alcohol from his breath. He was unable to provide his name and address. 

“He was disarmed and brought to the ground, arrested and conveyed to Gurranabraher Garda Station.

“His erratic and paranoid behaviour continued at the Garda station. The defendant was assessed by a doctor at the Garda station and it was deemed necessary for him to attend the hospital. Jay Walsh was released from custody for this purpose.” 

After Judge Dorgan accepted jurisdiction, defence solicitor Diarmuid Kelleher asked for a precis of evidence to be sent to the defence for consideration of whether he would plead guilty or not guilty to the charge. The case was adjourned until October 7 for that purpose.