A man described as having severe mental health difficulties entered the public office of a Dublin garda station carrying four knives, allegedly stating that “he wished to harm Caucasian males and himself”.
The incident, which occurred in Blanchardstown early yesterday morning, led to a five-hour “stand-off” involving armed gardaí and negotiators, Dublin District Court was told, reports RTE.
Simon Naidu, a 30-yr-old former landscaping foreman, of Delhurst, Ongar, and most recently living in a charity-provided apartment in Clonsilla, both in Dublin 15, was charged with four counts of possession of offensive weapons.
He was refused bail and remanded in custody when he appeared before Judge Karen Dowling, reports RTE.
Judge Dowling requested that he be provided with urgent medical and psychiatric care while in prison.
Garda Daniel Reardon opposed bail, telling the court that the accused entered the station at 3.45am carrying four kitchen knives, reports RTE.
“The accused stated to gardaí that he wished to harm Caucasian males and also harm himself,” Garda Reardon said, adding that there were a significant number of witnesses, reports RTE.
He further told the court that Mr Naidu retained possession of the knives for five hours during the stand-off with armed gardaí and negotiators, reports RTE.
Mr Naidu was initially detained under the Mental Health Act and was released from Connolly Hospital last night after undergoing a medical assessment.
He was then rearrested and made no reply when formally charged, reports RTE.
Defence counsel Kevin McCrave said his client suffered from profound mental health issues, a point with which gardaí agreed.
He told the court that Mr Naidu had twice been detained under mental health legislation last year, once in a hospital and once in a care centre, but was released on both occasions, reports RTE.
The barrister said his client had no close family living in Ireland.
“I am here a long time,” Mr Naidu told the court, saying he arrived in Ireland 26 years ago and was educated at both primary and secondary level in the State, reports RTE.
When asked by Judge Dowling if he understood the proceedings, he replied: “No, not really to be honest”.
“I am a refugee,” he said, referring to the length of time he has lived in Ireland, adding: “I am still a refugee”, reports RTE.
He also told the judge that he lost his job after being involved in a crash while driving a company vehicle on the M50.
Counsel said Mr Naidu had received assistance from another family but otherwise lacked support, reports RTE.
The court also heard that after being discharged from hospital, Mr Naidu was contacted by phone and returned to the garda station, where he was arrested.
The barrister said he did not know why the hospital had not retained him and that the precise diagnosis of his condition was unclear, reports RTE.
However, it was known that Mr Naidu had been prescribed medication and had experienced suicidal thoughts.
Judge Dowling noted that Mr Naidu was permitted to return to his accommodation but emphasised the seriousness of the case, ruling that the legal threshold to refuse bail had been met, reports RTE.
Mr Naidu, who was wearing a purple top, blue jeans and runners, has not yet entered a plea.
Legal aid was granted, and he was remanded in custody to appear before the court again on 13 January, with directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions required, reports RTE.
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