Man told Offaly shop assistant he'd cut her 'up in pieces'

A MAN produced a hammer in a shop in Offaly and threatened a member of staff after being refused service.

A garda told the local District Court the man said to the woman: “You know who I am and I'll cut you up in pieces.”

The 43-year-old, whose case was heard in private because he had previously been prosecuted for a breach of a safety order, pleaded guilty to a variety of offences when he appeared before the court.

He admitted stealing from three different stores in one town in October, 2025. On two occasions he took about €88 worth of cigarettes and tobacco and a different offence involved the theft of groceries valued at €44.95.

Separately, he admitted stealing €83 worth of goods from a supermarket and property valued at €130 from a pharmacy.

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A garda said in one store the man was given cigarettes and made off with them when the shop assistant turned away to get a vape which he had also requested.

Another theft of tobacco was conducted in a similar manner when he asked for cigarettes first and then requested phone credit. He was identified on CCTV footage in both cases.

The man also pleaded guilty to damaging the mattress in a cell in a garda station in December and driving without insurance and a licence in February. He had ripped the mattress.

Also last month he admitted having possession of a hammer and a pliars with the intention they be used for theft.

A further charge to which he pleaded guilty related to his possession of a pocket knife with a sharply pointed blade.

A garda also outlined to Judge Andrew Cody how the accused had poured water all over the floor of the holding cell of the courthouse to the extent that it was two inches deep.

The guard said the man did so by filling a bottle and then emptying it onto the floor.

“He was being belligerent,” remarked Judge Cody.

The accused further pleaded guilty to failing to appear in court on two occasions.

Though he had two different addresses, he was also sometimes of no fixed abode and had 33 previous convictions.

Among his previous offences were assault, public drunkenness and nine breaches of the peace involving threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour.

David Nugent, BL, appearing for the man, said the incident in the courthouse stemmed from his client having a voice in his head telling him the walls of the cell were covered in excrement and he had to clean them.

Mr Nugent said the court was aware of the defendant's mental condition and the man had said himself that he had “a good heart” but his head was “chaotic”.

Medical assistance for him while he was in prison on remand had been lacking and he was not on the right medication, added the barrister.

A list of his medicines had been brought to the court and the man understood his chaotic existence brought him into conflict.

Defence counsel said the accused had his condition since he was eight or nine years of age and his mother had “quite the life” with him.

In one supermarket he had paid for some goods and taken others and he did not know how to stop his behaviour.

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The treatment he was on sometimes worked and sometimes did not and he now wanted to get help from the prison service where he would engage with therapy and psychological services.

He knew he had created fear. “He has a good heart and that's the first thing he said to me. It's his brain that lets him down,” said Mr Nugent.

Judge Cody imposed a nine-month sentence for the threat, three months each for theft, criminal damage and failing to appear in court, and six months for possession of a weapon.

He ordered that all the sentences be consecutive. A number of other theft charges were withdrawn by the gardai, as was a charge alleging breach of a safety order.