Mum agrees to police son

The mother of a man accused of having an array of knives and hatchet in a city bar has promised to contact Gardaí immediately if her son starts drinking or stops taking his medication.

Mrs Rita Reynolds gave the undertaking to Judge Kevin Kilrane regarding her son Brian Reynolds (36) of Drumiskabole, Carraroe who is on bail.

He’s accused of having two flickknives, a hatchet, two pairs of Leatherman blades and a red-handled knife on him at Stephen St Car Park on February 7th.

He’s also accused of producing the red-handled knife in The Snug bar in the same location on the same date and saying to barman Mr Aidan Morrison “I’m going to end you”.

The defendant is also on a 16 month suspended sentence imposed by a Dublin Court.

Mrs Reynolds told Judge Kilrane that her son was a professional prior to his becoming ill and “the nature of his illness dictated what happened recently.”

She said her son hadn’t taken his full dose of medicine by his own choice but now had upped his medication and she could see the difference in his everyday behaviour.

The witness said her son was “very fond of hunting” and that it was “an accident of events that led him to be in the pub” on the night in question.

She said Reynolds was now aware that alcohol could affect him while on the medication.

Judge Kilrane asked Mrs Reynolds, what he accepted was a “difficult” question: “Do you feel that he’s a danger to other people?”

“Certainly in the past,” replied Mrs Reynolds. “I’m wondering why the professionals who were taking care of him allowed that to happen. When he’s at home he’s care free but I can’t watch him 24 hours a day,” she said.

The court heard the defendant was under the care of consultant psychiatrist Dr Adamis at Sligo Mental Health unit.

Judge Kilrane said he was concerned that with alcohol Reynolds might become a danger to others.

He said if Reynolds “goes off the rails something has to be done about it” and asked the mother if she was prepared to in effect, police her son and “he might end up in jail.”

“I will most definitely do everything in my power to get him back to his profession,” replied Mrs Reynolds.

Judge Kilrane remanded Brian Reynolds on continuing bail to 2nd of November on condition that Mrs Reynolds notify the Gardaí if he took alcohol, or any substance, or stopped taking his medication that would be a cause of concern as to his well-being or the well-being of others.

Judge Kilrane also ordered an updated psychiatric report and a Probation Report for 2nd November. realise her daughter had taken her car to Limerick that day.

She said that her daughter bought the car, it was to be in her own name but her daughter was to use it.

Mr Henry told the judge that Laing was the lone parent to five young children aged 1-12 years and was the only one who could transport them to school etc.

Judge Kilrane agreed to adjourn the case to allow Laing bring a ¤400 fine to court and would not disqualify her.

He said Laing would incur penalty points for the insurance offence and any more would have her “knocking on the door of disqualification on penalty points alone.”

He indicated he would strike out a charge of not having an insurance disc displayed. way when your client struck her. I can’t think of anything that would absolve your client from dangerous driving - I’ll allow another judge to hear it,” he said.

He adjourned the case to 7th of September to allow another judge hear the case but added that they would still be bound by his order that it be heard as a dangerous driving charge.