Limerick man accused of making threats to burn down home refused bail amid garda concerns

A MAN who is accused of threatening to burn down the home where his ex-partner's parents live has been refused bail after gardai expressed serious concerns for her safety, in the event that he is released.

Billy Collopy, aged 37, of no fixed abode, appeared before Limerick District Court charged in connection with a series of events which are alleged to have happened in the early hours of September 3.

Judge Carol Anne Coolican was told the defendant, who was arrested in the Farranshone area of Limerick city at 4.45am on Wednesday, faces four charges.

It is alleged he made threats to his former partner, via Snapchat, that he would burn her parents' home if she did not meet him. 

He is also accused of having a knife on his person when arrested and faces two charges of criminal damage relating to separate incidents which are alleged to have happened outside a house at Shannonvale, Old Cratloe Road.

Objecting to bail, Garda Jack O'Sullivan expressed concerns Mr Collopy might leave the jurisdiction if granted bail and that he would commit further serious offences. He also told the court he would have concerns for the safety of the woman if the 37-year-old was granted bail.

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He said the first incident of criminal damage, which is under investigation, happened shortly before 12.30am when a passenger window of a parked car was smashed by two men - one of whom is alleged to be the defendant.

The second incident, he said, happened, outside the same property at 2.39am.

Garda O'Sullivan said it will be alleged that on that occasion two men were observed "walking in a loop" in the vicinity of the same parked car and that one of them then "reached into the rear of the vehicle" and that it "ignited" seconds later.

Again, it is alleged that Mr Collopy was one of the two men.

Judge Coolican was told camera footage from a Ring doorbell has been recovered as part of the  garda investigation and that a number of witnesses have also come forward.

While the matter is under investigation, gardai do not believe the occupants of the house at Shannonvale have any involvement in criminality and they are seeking to establish why the house appears to have been targeted.

The court was told potential evidence has been downloaded from the defendant's ex-partner's mobile phone and that gardai are continuing to examine a number of items which were found in a van which Mr Collopy was driving when arrested.

Seeking bail, solicitor John Herbert said his client works for an engineering company and that an address is available to him outside of Limerick. "He is willing to stay outside of the city," he told Judge Coolican.

Having considered the garda objection, the judge said she had some concerns and that she was satisfied, in the circumstances, to refuse the application.

Mr Collopy was remanded in custody until later this month for DPP's directions.