Threat to kill Tipperary garda charge too serious for District Court, judge rules

 A judge has ruled that the case against a man accused of headbutting and threatening to kill a Carrick-on-Suir based garda, is too serious to be dealt with in the district court. 

Judge Marie Keane refused jurisdiction for the case against Gavin Lyons of No. 15 Glenview, Carrick-on-Suir to be heard in Carrick-on-Suir District Court after hearing a preliminary outline of the evidence at the court's latest sitting. 

Lyons is charged with assaulting Gda. Paul Cronin and threatening to kill or cause him serious harm at Kilheffernan Roundabout, Clonmel on February 11. He is also charged with committing two public order offences at Bridge Street, Carrick-on-Suir on the same date. 

Gda. Sgt. Sean Buckley informed her the allegations were that Gda. Cronin came across Lyons in an agitated state at Bridge Street. He was shouting obscenities and his fist was clenched in a threatening manner. 

Lyons was arrested and while in a patrol car en-route to Clonmel Garda Station it was alleged he made several threats to Gda. Cronin that he was going to murder and kill him. 

It was also alleged that he headbutted the side of Gda. Cronin's head and also lashed out with his leg and struck the garda on the left shoulder. No serious or long lasting injuries were suffered. 

Judge Keane adjourned the case to Carrick-on-Suir District Court sitting of September 6 for service of the Book of Evidence. She remanded Lyons on bail on condition he sign on at Carrick-on-Suir Garda Station three days a week and be sober in public.