Limerick man jailed after making throat-slitting motion at garda during criminal trial

A LIMERICK man with 170 previous convictions has been jailed for threatening to kill a garda giving evidence in a criminal trial, by making a “throat slitting motion” and “mouthing the word dead”.

Shane Ryan Casey, aged 30, of Hyde Road, Ballinacurra Weston, Limerick city was given a two-year prison sentence by Judge Fiona O'Sullivan. 

The judge gave her judgement at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court after the evidence was outlined by prosecuting barrister Lily Buckley, instructed by State solicitor Brendan Gill, and investigating gardai on an earlier date.

Casey pleaded guilty to threatening to kill Garda Sean O’Connor in Limerick Courthouse, Mulgrave Street on February 21, 2024.

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Judge O’Sullivan, in summarising the evidence, said Casey was on trial at the time for threatening to kill and production of a knife.

“Garda O’Connor was present in court to give evidence at that trial. Casey made certain gestures including a throat-slitting motion. At one stage the offender attempted to walk in Garda O’Connor’s direction but was pulled back and as the accused was led out of court at lunch he spat at him (Garda O’Connor). The offender mouthed the word 'dead'.

“Garda O’Connor previously prosecuted the accused and other family members,” said Judge O’Sullivan.

She said after Casey was arrested he did not co-operate with the interview process, stared at the floor and “failed to acknowledge the process”.  

Judge O’Sullivan said the functions of sentence are to punish the offender to protect society and offer a possibility of rehabilitation. 

“The aggravating factors in this case are that it is a serious offence that occurred during the course of a criminal trial on a different matter. There are a number of significant previous convictions, including two threats to kill, possession of an article with intent to cause injury, production of an article in a fight, possession of knives.

“In total, there 170 previous convictions including burglary, criminal damage, theft, road traffic, trespass, animal cruelty, failure to appear, public order, robbery, and misuse of drugs,” said Judge O’Sullivan.

The judge said there was no victim impact statement to take into account as Garda O’Connor declined to make one.

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The judge said the mitigating factors were that Casey pleaded guilty, comes from a difficult background and is estranged from his family “so he does not appear to have the protective supports that might be otherwise available”.

“The accused’s counsel said he is a broken person who does not leave his prison cell and is not in receipt of any treatment,” said Judge O’Sullivan.

She imposed a two year prison sentence to be served consecutively to a three year jail term imposed by now retired Judge Tom O’Donnell at the trial in 2024 when Casey was before the court for threatening to kill and production of a knife.