A MAN who gardai allege “terrorised the town” of Newcastle West over a two-hour period, has been remanded in custody.

A garda sergeant told a special late-night court sitting that “numerous calls were received by gardai reporting a man brandishing a knife was threatening people”.

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Dermot Knapp Ryan, aged 34, with an address at Sharwood Estate, Newcastle West appeared before Judge Fiona Brennan at Limerick District Court in Mulgrave Street, Limerick city.

Sergeant Dermot Cummins gave evidence of charging Mr Ryan with a number of offences allegedly committed on Tuesday, August 19.

Mr Ryan is charged with burglary, possession of a knife, criminal damage and production of an article at Pizza Point, Maiden Street, Newcastle West.

Mr Ryan is further charged with intoxication, threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour and criminal damage of a vehicle at North Quay, Newcastle West.

Mr Ryan made an application, through his barrister Joseph McMahon, for bail which Sgt Cummins objected to on behalf of the State.

Sgt Cummins alleged that at 9.10pm on August 19, gardai in Newcastle West were alerted to reports of a man brandishing a knife and threatening members of the public in Maiden Street.

“Multiple reports were received via 999 from members of the public that this individual had entered Pizza Point on Maiden Street. He threatened to kill and stab staff while brandishing a knife. 

“He damaged a pane of glass in the front door using a rolling pin he took from behind the counter. He concealed a knife in his shorts before leaving and threatening motorists on North Quay.

“He banged on the door of a car being driven by a woman and attempted to open the door while shouting at her to get out,” alleged Sgt Cummins.

The garda sergeant said due to the risk to public safety the Armed Support Unit was requested from Henry Street.

“Gardai searched the Sharwood Estate area and observed Mr Ryan. He was approached by garda members and directed to show his hands. He was observed moving away and reaching towards the front of his shorts. With the information we had, gardai believed he was possibly armed and reaching for a weapon.

“He was issued with a verbal warning which he did not comply with. Incapacitant spay was deployed. It was effective although Dermot Ryan continued to resist arrest. He was restrained by uniformed gardai. Armed support members arrived shortly after and assisted. He was arrested and conveyed to Henry Street,” alleged Sgt Cummins.

The sergeant said gardai did not recover a weapon on Mr Ryan’s person or in the vicinity.

Sgt Cummins said it is expected that further serious charges will be preferred against Mr Ryan.

“It is my belief that if granted bail Dermot Ryan will commit further serious offences and not abide by bail conditions. It is my understanding that he returned to Newcastle West in the past two or three days, and in the space of which he has terrorised the town in the space of an hour or two.

“He has resided in the United Kingdom since 2013 / 2014. If he is granted bail I believe he would flee the jurisdiction and return to the UK,” said Sgt Cummins.

Mr McMahon BL, in applying for bail for Mr Ryan, said his client visited the grave of his brother, who died tragically in 2020, for the first time that day.

“He has an appointment on Friday to have an alcohol and drug chip inserted. He consumed alcohol on Tuesday – it was something of a last hurrah,” said Mr McMahon.

The barrister put it to the sergeant that no knife was found on Mr Ryan’s person or in the vicinity. “No,” said Sgt Cummins.

Mr Ryan took the stand and said he would abide by all bail conditions. He said the chip makes a person “very, very ill” if you drink alcohol or take certain drugs.

“I am sorry, I’m truly sorry for my behaviour – it was unacceptable. I went to the grave yesterday. I had a drink. I knew I was getting the chip. I regret it so much,” said Mr Ryan.

Judge Brennan said Mr Ryan is entitled to the presumption of innocence. The judge refused bail and remanded Mr Ryan in custody to appear in Limerick District Court via video-link this Wednesday, August 27. He was further remanded in custody to September 9 for DPP’s directions.