Manwielded hammerinrow

A MAN who brandished a hammer during a dispute had his case suspended with the benefit of the probation act, and was told to make a payment to charity.

Michael Hunter (51), formerly of 6 Cedar Court, Churchfields, Delgany, who now lives in Galway, was before Bray District Court last Thursday.

Inspector Fergal Harrington told the court that on March 7, 2018 at 11.17 a.m, gardai were called to Main Street, Bray, near what was Noah’s Ark, where the defendant had a household hammer ‘ with the intention to cause injury or intimidate another person’.

He was arrested and the court heard he was fully cooperative.

The incident arose out of an ongoing dispute, the court heard. The injured party was a Rudi Burke.

Barrister Éamonn O’Moore said that his client has no previous convictions, has not come to further garda attention, and is unlikely to appear again in this or any court. Mr O’Moore said that Harrington had been married and helped operate a family business, Noah’s Ark.

The court heard that the dispute arose out of an alleged affair and other circumstances.

There had been flooding damage at the restaurant and that was why a hammer was immediately available.

Mr O’Moore said that the incident followed ‘significant acrimony’. He said that the State’s evidence included a picture of the complainant holding an axe.

‘Mr Hunter has moved to Galway and his marriage broke down,’ said Mr O’Moore, who said all activities related to acrimony ceased.

Inspector Harrington said that no evidence was found in respect of the related allegation.

Judge Kennedy applied the probation act and asked for a donation of €500 to be made to the court poor box.