Man threatened to 'bite the faces off' gardaí before allegedly biting one on the hand

A 32 year old man allegedly told gardai 'I am going to bite the faces off you’ before allegedly biting an Ennis-based garda on the hand.

At Ennis District Court, Limerick native, Jeffrey Kelly of Laurel Lodge, Ennis has appeared in connection with the alleged assault causing harm of Garda Michael O’Neill on March 5th on Ennis's Kilrush Rd.

As part of a bail hearing, Garda Darren Earley told the court that Mr Kelly was intoxicated at the time and during the course of arrest in the early hours of March 5th resisted arrest outside an address at Cnoc na Scoile on Ennis’s Kilrush Rd.

Garda Earley stated that Mr Kelly “'threatened gardai by stating 'I am going to bite the faces off you’”.

He said that Mr Kelly was then placed in the garda van.

Garda Earley said that “Mr Kelly resisted further by spitting at gardai and then bit Garda Michael O’Neill on the hand, breaking the skin and drawing blood”.

Garda Earley stated that there were two garda witnesses to the alleged assault.

Garda Earley stated that gardai were objecting to bail due to the nature and seriousness of the charge.

Garda Earley said that Mr Kelly made no admissions.

Solicitor for Mr Kelly, Tara Godfrey said that her client has told her that he has not been drinking or taking drugs since last October.

Ms Godfrey said that on the night, Mr Kelly knocked on the wrong door. 

Ms Godfrey said that her instructions from her client is that Mr Kelly did not bite Garda O’Neill on the finger or anywhere else. 

Judge Gabbett refused bail to Mr Kelly. Garda O'Neill was not in court for the bail hearing and Judge Gabbett said that he was probably off getting a tetanus injection in hospital.

Mr Kelly has also failed to obtain bail in the High Court.

Mr Kelly has been further remanded in custody and is due to re-appear via video-link at Ennis District Court next Wednesday, April 3rd for DPP directions.