Dalkey man threatened to let off flare in local Garda Station

Dublin People 23 Oct 2015
Dalkey man threatened to let off flare in local Garda Station

A MAN who tried to push a flare through the hatch in a lobby of a Garda station threatening to “let it off” has been placed under the supervision of the Probation Service for six months.

John Hennessy (50), of St Begnets Villas, Dalkey, was drunk when he walked into his local Garda station and took the flare from his jacket pocket, telling Gda Eoin Brennan: “The gardaí are useless. I’ll open this and let it off.”

The flare was still in a plastic bag and Hennessy tried to open it push it through the hatch before he left the station.

Seven years earlier, Dalkey Garda Station had to be cleared after Hennessy left a hoax device there.

Hennessy pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of an explosive device at Dalkey Garda Station on March 31, 2012.

His previous convictions are mostly for public order type offences, attempted robbery and providing false information which occurred in March 2005 when Hennessy placed the hoax device in Dalkey Garda Station.

Hennessy, who is a full-time carer for his mother, has not come to Garda attention since the flare incident.

Gda Colin Duggan told Paul Carroll BL, prosecuting, that Gda Brennan called for assistance after Hennessy left the station and other officers on patrol in the area spotted him intoxicated and unsteady on his feet.

They tried to arrest him but a struggle broke out and ultimately pepper spray was used. Hennessy continued to be aggressive following his arrest.

Gda Duggan confirmed that the flare was from 1982 and was usually used on ships and boats to call for help.

Gda Duggan agreed with Marie Torrens BL, defending, that Hennessy had a fishing boat and claimed that he found the flare on it.

Counsel said that her client had intended to hand the flare in but he “unfortunately” started drinking before he arrived at the station.

Judge Patricia Ryan placed Hennessy under a supervision bond for six months and ordered that he attend with the Probation Service during that time. She adjourned the case until April 15 next.

Sonya McLean

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