A student garda was hit on the head with a stone during a stand-off between 14 gardaí and a crowd of up to 40 people, it was alleged in court yesterday.
The allegations were heard at Limerick District Court, where a local man was remanded in custody after the State claimed he had breached his bail conditions, one week after a court appearance on a separate matter.
Christopher Curtin (30), Salvia Court, Keyes Park, Limerick, was arrested outside his home on Wednesday evening after he allegedly obstructed gardaí from searching his truck under the Misuse of Drugs Act.
Mr Curtin, who was only released on bail last week after appearing in court in relation to another matter, is also charged with engaging in threatening and abusive behaviour at his home on Wednesday evening.
Det Garda Tom O'Connor told the court that Det Garda Brian Dwyer and student Garda Brendan Healy approached Mr Curtin's home at about 5.30pm last Wednesday and informed him they wanted to search his pick-up truck under the Misuse of Drugs Act.
It is alleged Mr Curtin became abusive towards the gardaí when they asked about some tools in the back of his vehicle and he warned them that they would never take any "f**king tools".
The court heard that Det Garda Dwyer rang for assistance as he was unable to carry out his search and was anxious about security.
A crowd began to gather at the scene and it is alleged that Mr Curtin instructed the large gathering not to allow the gardaí to take any of his property.
Det Garda O'Connor said the accused man had allegedly told Det Garda Dwyer that he would "sort him out if he had no uniform on".
According to Det Garda O'Connor, there were 14 gardaí at the scene and a crowd of up to 40 youths when the situation "approached one of violent disorder", with people throwing stones at gardaí.
The court heard that student Garda Healy was hit on the head with one of the stones and had to undergo medical treatment in hospital.
When called to the witness box, Mr Curtin denied that he had incited the crowd or obstructed the gardaí from carrying out their duties.
He said he could not explain how student Garda Healy had sustained an injury and said he himself had been "pelted with stones".
Insp Declan Mulcahy said the State was applying to revoke the bail which was granted to Mr Curtin last week in relation to a separate matter, on the grounds that he had breached his bail conditions.
Judge Tom O'Donnell said he was satisfied that there had been a breach of bail conditions and remanded Mr Curtin in custody until November 10th.