Corkman shouted ‘Do you want to die, black boy?’ while holding screwdriver, court told

Garda Ray Costello outlined the allegations against the accused: “On July 12, gardaí received a call that a male had threatened another male with a screwdriver and shouted, “Do you want to die, black boy?” 

“The screwdriver was disposed of in a nearby bin. Gardaí went to the scene and the male was identified by gardaí as James Hogan. The screwdriver was retrieved from the bin. CCTV was downloaded which shows James Hogan holding the screwdriver and shouting at the injured party.

“An injured party statement was taken and there were two witnesses, with one stating that the screwdriver had been put in the bin, and the other witness saying what occurred.” 

Frank Buttimer, defence solicitor, said that while the matter before the court could be dealt with at district or circuit court, such matters of this kind were regularly disposed of in the district court, adding that in his experience, 85% to 90% of them were disposed of summarily.

“Insofar as Mr Hogan is concerned he made certain admissions but gave certain explanations as well. He described a lawful reason for having the item in his possession. He has three days a week working and would use equipment of that kind,” the solicitor said.

Garda Costello said: “I recall him saying he had work on a construction site.” James Hogan gave evidence in the course of his own bail application, saying he was welcome to live at home at Liffey Park and that he was working as a labourer three days a week.

He said that when he was arrested on Friday afternoon he had the screwdriver for a work-related reason, adding: 

I was helping my aunty fix sockets in her house. 

Sergeant John Kelleher asked: “And you had just one screwdriver and no other tool?” The defendant said that was the case. 

He said: “I bumped into a friend of mine on Grand Parade.” Judge Mary Dorgan said: “I have listened very carefully. I am taking into account the nature of the evidence. And there is good quality CCTV. I am not satisfied any conditions would be satisfactory.” 

James Hogan, who is aged around 20, was remanded in custody until July 29 on the charge of being in possession of a screwdriver, contrary to the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act.