A Dublin man serving a sentence for attempted robbery was forcibly removed from the High Court yesterday after a judge refused to release him from prison.
The man shouted "Scumbag" at the judge and "I will shoot someone over this."
Darren McCowan (30), of Knockmore Cresent, Tallaght, is serving a four-year prison term for attempted robbery. He had claimed he was unlawfully detained and asked for bail.
McCowan, who was jailed by Judge Patrick McCartan at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court last February, said he had been in court on about 60 occasions and had never failed to appear. He had been in custody 13 months, and the authorities had not processed his case. He said he had a valid claim to put before the Court of Criminal Appeal.
Mr Justice O Caoimh said McCowan was being held on three warrants, two which were due to come into effect at the expiry of the four-year sentence. McCowan had made it plain to the court that he believed he should not have been convicted and sentenced to four years and that the conduct of his trial had been irregular.
The Court of Criminal Appeal had fixed February 11th next for the hearing of his application for leave to appeal and that court would deal with all matters.