Man appears in court over Limerick stand-off

A 38-year old man arrested following an eight hour stand off with gardai in Limerick appeared before a special court sitting today.

Robert Brown barricaded himself into an apartment on John Street in Limerick city centre last Friday. He was arrested by gardai when the siege ended shortly before midnight.

He appeared before Limerick District Court today where his solicitor said the case was a housing matter.

A large group of supporters and some of Mr Brown’s relatives attended the special court sitting.

The 38-year-old of no fixed abode, is charged with producing a knife in the course of a dispute at 34 John Street, Limerick, on March 22nd contrary to Section 11 of the Firearms and Offences Weapons Act.

He is also charged with entering the same address as a trespasser on the same date contrary to Section 11 of the Criminal Justice Public Order Act.

DetGarda David Baynham gave evidence of arresting and formally charging Brown at Henry Street Garda Station yesterday.

Judge Aeneas McCarthy was told he made no reply to either charge.

Solicitor John Devane said the case was “effectively a housing matter”.

Inspector Eamon O’Neill said the State had no objection to bail subject to certain conditions, including that he reside with his mother at Abbey Lough, Corbally, on three times a week at Henry Street Garda station and obey a curfew.

Judge McCarthy also said that any interaction with regard to his housing with HSE, Novas and the Homeless persons centre will be done by an intermediary agreeable to both parties.

Mr Brown was given bail on his own bond of €500 and will remanded to appear before the same court again on April 24th.