Kildare 'Crusoe' who allegedly brandished homemade spear remanded in custody 

A HOMELESS man who threatened gardaí with a homemade spear requiring the intervention of the Armed Response Unit was again remanded in custody last week until 6 November. Robert Serafin (52) of no fixed abode, but living in a tent at Frenchfurze on The Curragh, appeared in Naas District Court by videolink from custody, where he has been since his arrest on 3 September.

At his initial appearance on 4 September, Garda Cian Horan told the court how Mr Serafin was charged with a total of nine offences, including possession of articles, to wit, two Stanley knives, five screwdrivers, and the spear fashioned out of a screwdriver tied to the top of a stick.

“He’d be well known around Kildare town, and with alcohol, he can be very aggressive,” said Garda Horan at the September hearing.

“When I was speaking to him, he produced a screwdriver, a flick knife, a Stanley blade out of the tent,” said Garda Horan. “For our own safety we called the Garda Armed Response Unit,” he confirmed.

“He threatened you?” asked the judge.

“Intimidation,” said Garda Horan.

“Pepper spray had to be used,” he added, before producing the homemade spear for the judge to see.

The stick was about a metre long, maybe a centimetre thick, and it had 20cm screwdriver tied securely to the top.

“Is that for spear fishing? A bit of Robinson Crusoe?” smiled the judge.

“He is known around Kildare town, so he wouldn’t be hard to find,” said defending solicitor Brian Larkin.

“When under the influence, he is a serious nuisance,” surmised the judge.

Garda Horan said: “The screwdriver on a stick? On a dark night, even I wouldn’t like to have to face that.” 

Mr Larkin explained: “This man is living in a tent and has been burgled twice.” 

“He’s wild with alcohol, a threat,” stated Garda Horan.

“I’ve never refused bail solely because of homelessness, but can you give me any guarantee that he won’t use that weapon?” asked the judge rhetorically.

Eventually, the judge remanded Mr Serafin into custody, but set a bond of €400. However, with no financial means of support, Mr Serafin has remained in custody since the September court hearing.

Last week his solicitor Brian Larkin reminded the court that this case was “in for election”, and that “my client wished to enter a plea for the stick with the screwdriver”.

However, prosecuting garda Sergeant Dave Hanrahan said: “I don’t have directions. In fairness, I sent an emergency email, but got no reply.” 

“I expect it’s summary [for hearing in the district court],” predicted Judge Desmond Zaidan, already familiar with the curious case.

“He’s been in custody since 4 September, but I’m not blaming Sgt Hanrahan,” said Mr Larkin.

“But I remanded him into custody, with consent to bail,” the judge remembered.

“He doesn’t have the means,” shrugged Mr Larkin.

“Okay. I will mark it pre-emptory against the state,” said the judge. (This means if the state cannot progress the case on the next court date, he will dismiss all charges.) 

“He lives in a tent beside the canal, but the most serious is the stick with the knife – good old Tarzan. It’s like something from the Stone Age,” said the judge.

“More like the Flintstones,” smiled Mr Larkin.

“In fairness, though, I will raise a stink on the next day,” said Mr Larkin.

“You hear that, sergeant?” said the judge. “If you’ve no directions on the next date, Mr Larkin will be looking for a strike-out.

“I know his problem is alcohol, so I’m not blaming the state. Robert is an alcoholic and drinks all his money,” noted the judge.

He then remanded Mr Serafin back into custody until 6 November, when Mr Larkin indicated his preference for his client to be produced in court, rather than deal with the details over videolink.