Customers fled from Limerick pub as hammer was ‘wielded’

DOZENS of people were forced to flee from a pub in Limerick city centre after a man wielding a hammer entered the premises, a court has heard.

Jeffrey Kelly, 27, of no fixed abode, was refused bail after he was brought before Limerick District Court having been charged in connection with an incident on April 3, last.

Opposing bail, Garda Mark O’Sullivan said it will be alleged the defendant and three other men entered the Old Quarter bar at Little Ellen Street at around 6.30pm.

He said Mr Kelly brandished a weapon – namely a hammer – during the incident and allegedly “tried to strike one of the other three men”.

The hammer, he said, was stolen from a nearby restaurant.

It is the garda case that the violent incident followed on from a dispute between the men which broke out on William Street a short time earlier.

“It’s not known what that altercation was about,” said Garda O’Sullivan.

Judge Marian O’Leary was told around 25 people were in the Old Quarter at the time and that many of them were having food.

The incident, Garda O’Sullivan said, lasted for “a good number of minutes” during which time customers “ran out in fear”.

He told Sergeant Donal Cronin that CCTV from the premises has been obtained as part of the garda investigation and that a hammer was recovered from the pub.

Mr Kelly, he alleged, was “brandishing a sweeping brush” at another man when he was arrested at Cecil Street a short time after the alarm was raised.

The court was told gardai were concerned the defendant would not attend court if released and that he would “commit further serious violent offences”.

Solicitor Sarah Ryan said her client gave an explanation and “put a context” on the incident when questioned following his arrest.

She said Mr Kelly is engaging with the homeless services in Cork and would live in Cork if required to as a condition of bail.

Ms Ryan also suggested it is possible some of all of the other three men may also be charged with public order offences.

Having considered the garda objection, Judge O’Leary refused bail.

Investigations are ongoing and a file is to be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.