A teenager had to be restrained by five gardaí as he attempted to attack a witness in Waterford District Court yesterday.
Uproar broke out in the court late yesterday afternoon as Ms Sinead Cahill gave evidence in a case against Mr Christopher Foran Snr, when a youth tried to jump over a ledge to reach her.
Judge William Harnett remained calm during the outburst and quipped "a peaceful day in Waterford Court" when it was all over. However, he had some strong words about the youth's actions and called for charges to be brought.
"I can't tolerate witnesses being threatened and attempted attacks on them in a court. I hope serious charges flow from this. I will not hear the case but I expect the parties concerned to be charged. It is an abomination that people attempt to attack witnesses in a court of law." The District Court Judge voiced his concern for society. "If the country is getting to that level of savagery there is no hope for the ordinary man's rights on the street, in his house or going around his day-to-day business. You will not need another 1,000 or 2,000 gardaí but one-on-one in a situation like that if that is the sort of society we are breeding. I see more and more cases of sheer ignorance."
However, the judge warned: "No one is taking me on in court or any other judge on." Mr Foran's case was adjourned until next Thursday following the outburst to set a date for a hearing due to the number of witnesses still to be called by the gardaí
In the case, Mr Foran Snr, Birch Avenue, Birchwood, Waterford, was charged with criminal damage to the front window and doors of a house at Birch Rise where Ms Cahill lived, as well as damage to a car at the same address on April 12th, 2003. He was also charged with possession of an offensive weapon, a hurley, and taking part in a serious disturbance on the same date and same place. Ms Cahill, who lived in the house with her partner and young child was just concluding her evidence when a remark she made over the defendant's family being removed from their house as they were "scum" appeared to upset a youth who was seated behind the witness waiting for his case to be heard.
While Mr Foran and wife protested from the gallery about the description of their family, a 17-year-old attempted to climb over the bench to attack the witness.
Ms Cahill ran in terror to the other side of the court in tears, while another man jumped onto the solicitor's desk and warned the youth to stay away from the witness.
He was immediately ordered off the desk and back to his seat by Insp Mick Nevin.
Gardaí quickly intercepted the youth and brought him to the ground, where he continued to struggle violently and threaten the witness.