THOMPSON SENT FOR TRIAL OVER JAIL DEATH THREATS
43-year-old further remanded in custody until summer
FREDDIE Thompson has been sent forward for trial in relation to alleged threats to kill and assault.
The 43-year-old appeared before a sitting of Portlaoise District Court yesterday, charged with two counts of threatening to kill and a count of assault causing harm on dates in November and May 2022.
The accused entered the courtroom and then sat silently and was represented by solicitor John Quinn.
Detective Garda Padraic Ryan from Portlaoise Garda station told Judge Nicola Andrews presiding that he served the accused with a true copy of the book of evidence yesterday morning.
The judge granted that the accused be sent forward to Portlaoise Circuit Court for trial on June 11.
The alleged assault and threat to kill charge occurred at Portlaoise Prison on November 17, 2022 – while the further threat to kill charge is alleged to have occurred there on May 18 of that year.
The accused has not yet indicated a plea. Yesterday the court heard that the Director of Public Prosecutions consents that the accused be sent forward for trial.
Judge Andrews then gave Thompson an alibi warning in accordance with Section 20 of the Criminal Justice Act.
She told him that he shall not induce evidence to support an alibi unless by the end of 14 days notice from now, and in writing.
Thompson’s solicitor said this was because he was applying for legal aid, which was granted by the judge.
He said the accused was not making any application for bail, telling the court that Thompson is already serving a sentence.
The judge then made a Section 56 order further remanding the accused into custody.
The appearance comes after Thompson previously represented himself at an earlier hearing before Portlaoise District Court two weeks ago. On that occasion Detective Garda Padraic Ryan of Portlaoise
Garda Station told the court that he charged Thompson, formerly of South Dublin but with a current address at the Midlands Prison in Co Laois.
The detective told the court: “I cautioned Mr Thompson, he made no reply to the charge sheets.”
No details of the alleged injured parties were revealed in court.
Judge Cody initially said he was remanding the case to March 14, but Thompson then told the court: “How long is that for? I am looking for a two-week remand if possible. It is going back.”
When asked to clarify if he wanted a two-week remand, he said: “Please, yeah.”
I cautioned him, he made no reply to the charge sheets
DET GDA RYAN AT PREVIOUS HEARING