Garda felt under threat by man holding knives

A 29-YEAR-OLD New Ross man working in Kerry was at Wexford District Court to deal with charges arising from his worrying behaviour in summer of 2016.

The court heard how Darren Doyle, with an address at 55 Mount Carmel, New Ross but now spending much of the week in Killarney, came to the attention of Garda Eoin Maher one August morning.

Doyle appeared to be in an agitated state as he walked into Ann McDonald’s shop in Mary Street where he rummaged through drawers and took out a couple of knives.

One of the blades was described as a table knife and the other as a steak knife.

The garda felt under threat as the defendant refused to drop them, instead walking towards Garda Maher who used incapacitant spray to effect an arrest with the assistance of colleagues.

Also considered by the court was a public order offence committed almost a year afterwards by Doyle on Charles Street where he was found in a drunken state shouting at a woman.

Defending solicitor Gerry Flynn described his client as a single man with a three-year-old daughter.

Mr Flynn said his client was largely alcohol free since the crazy episode in the shop, though he had the one ‘slip’ in July of last year.

The solicitor felt that all the indicators were very positive for Doyle who comes home at weekends to see his child and play soccer.

He was now working for a roofing company and earning €470 nett each week.

An apology for what occurred was extended to shopkeeper Ann McDonald.

Judge John Cheatle said he did not wish to interfere with Doyle’s employment.

He marked the seriousness of the incident at the shop with a seven month jail sentence, suspended.