Youths charged after gardai hurt in station fracas

Four youths appeared in court yesterday in connection with an attack early yesterday morning in Cobh Garda Station in which three gardai were injured and reinforcements had to be drafted in.

Supt Pat Sheahan outlined the events to Judge David Riordan when the four appeared at a special sitting of Cobh District Court yesterday.

Supt Sheahan said one garda received an injury to his thumb and a chipped bone in his ankle, while another two sustained back injuries during the fracas in the Garda station.

He said the incident happened when three youths came to the station at Westbourne Place to try to free a fourth teenager who had been arrested earlier by gardai, Supt Sheahan told the court.

"They broke in the hatch and attempted to free the man in custody on public order matters. There was a scuffle and chairs were overturned," Supt Sheahan said.

Garda Donnacha Riordan sustained thumb and ankle injuries while Garda Bryan Larkin and Garda Tim Desmond both sustained back injuries and all three were now out sick, he said.

Mr Stephen Koopman (17) from Leeview Court, Cobh, denied seven charges, including assaulting Gardai Larkin, Riordan and Desmond and threatening to kill Garda Larkin.

Mr James Kelly (18), from Russell Heights, Cobh, and Mr Patrick Kelly (18) from Albert Terrace, Cobh, made no reply when charged with assaulting Garda Riordan, the court heard.

Both were also charged with criminal damage to a hatch and computer at the Garda station, as was the fourth youth, Mr Peter Stoat (18), from Sandymount, Cobh.

The four applied for bail and were released on varying bail amounts to appear before Midleton District Court tomorrow morning.

Judge Riordan imposed conditions that all four sign on each Monday, Wednesday and Friday at Cobh Garda Station and that they abide by a curfew to stay at home between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.