Man who damaged train with axe in Kildare receives peace bond
Pic: iStock
A MAN who did €1,500 worth of damage to a train with an axe, and who has been in custody for nearly two months since, was released on a peace bond last week. Alan Walsh (45), with a given address at Ardilaun, Portmarnock, Co Dublin, but now a tent-dweller, was appearing in Naas District Court by videolink from remand where his homelessness kept him since the incident at Newbridge Railway Station on 31 August.
It is alleged that on that date Mr Walsh was arrested at Newbridge Railway Station after taking his axe to a window, table, seat and charging port, contrary to section 20 of the . He was also charged with refusing to give his name, giving a false name, possession of a blade and being drunk in public, all on the same day.
However, in court, Mr Walsh made known his intentions to the judge.
“So you wish to plead guilty?” asked Judge Desmond Zaidan.
“That is my wish,” concurred the defendant.
On hearing this, the state withdrew the charge of refusing to give his name and proceeded with prosecuting the remaining three charges.
“Gardaí had received a call about an aggressive male carrying a rucksack at the station; the axe was subsequently found in bushes beside his belongings. He was highly intoxicated,” said Sergeant Mary Meade.
“Homeless?” guessed the judge.
“He is living in a tent,” confirmed Brian Larkin, defending.
The sergeant revealed that Mr Walsh had three previous convictions, including an assault causing harm, but that was 24 years ago.
“My client is very apologetic, and wishes to pay for this,” said Mr Larkin. “He used to have work, but he fell on hard times. He’s now in his 40s.
“This man seems genuine, and it’s always sad to see someone local living around the place in a tent. It’s as if the system has let this man down.”
Judge Zaidan said: “There was significant damage done, and it couldn’t have been done without an implement, but I’m going to take a chance on you. You weren’t in charge of your mind at the time, but your background is tragic, so I’m putting you on a peace bond for 12 months.
“This means the prison officers must let you go, but there’s a sting in the tail. If you appear before me in the next 12 months, I’ll send you to jail for a year.”
There then followed a simple but serious administrative error: because Mr Walsh wasn’t actually in court, he couldn’t physically sign his peace bond to secure his immediate release.
“Mr Larkin is going to have to tell him he won’t be released without signing the bond. My mistake,” admitted the judge.
However, the situation was rescued by the court registrar, who said she would scan the bond and send it to Mountjoy Prison for the signature to secure Mr Walsh’s release.
