Hi °C | Lo °C A GARDA told a court how he moved out of his rented accommodation and took different routes to work following a threat to his life.
Garda Patrick Naughton was giving evidence at the trial of a man accused of threatening to kill him and two other gardai while he was in custody.
Jamie Casey (29), of Balloonagh Estate, Tralee, Co Kerry, denies threatening to kill Gda Naughton at Tralee garda station on August 18, 2010.
He denies two further charges of threatening to kill Gda Nigel Whelton at the same station on October 13, 2010, and Gda Donal Daly at Tralee courthouse on the same date.
Yesterday, Gda Kevin Walsh told Tralee Circuit Criminal Court he heard Mr Casey telling his colleague Gda Naughton: "I will burn your house with your family in it."
Gda Naughton told the court: "I took those threats seriously. I could see the anger in his eyes.
"I moved out of my rented house and took different routes to and from work, and never went the same route."
In a separate incident, Gda Whelton told the court he was threatened by Mr Casey after his arrest on suspicion of drug driving in October 2010.
Gardai had used pepper spray to restrain him.
His counsel Brian McInerney put it to the garda witnesses that Mr Casey wasn't allowed to wash his eyes until 20 minutes after being sprayed.
Gda Naughton said this was his "own doing" as they could not remove the handcuffs from Mr Casey because of his aggressive behaviour.
Vicious
Gda Whelton said he had approached the defendant in the public office of the garda station to assist another member who was trying to calm him down.
He described Mr Casey behaviour as "out of control".
"He tried to headbutt me and narrowly missed my face," the garda said.
"He then told me he'd find out where my house was and break into it and kill me," he added.
"He swore on his child's life he'd do it if it was the last thing he'd do."
Gda Whelton said he felt very threatened and no longer lives in Tralee.
The third charge relates to an incident at Tralee courthouse later that day where Gda Donal Daly was on duty.
He said Mr Casey was aggressive and disruptive in the court and the judge asked that he be removed.
Gda Daly said the defendant became violent and "lashed out" with his head and legs when he was being removed.
Outside the courtroom, he alleges Mr Casey looked directly at him and said: "I'll get you, you c**t.
"If you think you've seen vicious, you've not seen vicious yet.
"I'll get you, you pig I swear on my child's life. Tralee is a small place, you wait and see."
The trial continues today before Judge Carroll Moran.
Irish Independent
