A man charged in relation to an incident outside the school where three young children and a care worker were attacked by a man with a knife last November has appeared before Dublin Central Criminal Court this afternoon.
Oisin Peavoy who has an address at Granby Row, Dublin 1 appeared before Judge Gerard Jones to answer four charges in relation to the production of an offensive weapon at Parnell Square and Gardiner Street and threatening and abusive behaviour.
Prosecuting Detective Garda Paul Griffin told the court that the 38-year-old instructed Gardaí that he did not want a solicitor during questioning.
His parents appeared in court and when Judge Jones repeatedly asked Peavoy if he was sure he did not want representation and if he understood what was happening the accused replied, “I don’t need a solicitor.”
Garda Griffin detailed how Peavoy was charged yesterday evening at Mountjoy Garda Station in relation to the alleged offences including the production of an offensive article and engaging in threatening and abusive behaviour.
Griffin related that when read details of the first charge, Peavoy replied, “I object I have evidence that this is not true”.
To the second charge he replied “I object”, to the third charge he replied , “I object I have evidence that this is not true”, and to the fourth charge he replied, “This is the only one that is somewhat lawful.”
The court heard that nobody was injured during the incidents where Peavoy is accused of engaging in threatening and intimidating behaviour in respect of two school buses carrying children, one on Parnell Square and the other on Gardiner Street.
Garda Griffin agreed when asked if the public were in danger during the alleged incident and related how Peavoy allegedly brandished a knife at a woman with a buggy and told her to “fuck off”.
Peavoy was allegedly seen acting in an “erratic” manner at approximately 8:45 am yesterday morning where the children on board the buses were aged between 6 and 12 years.
Garda Griffin detailed how witnesses said they heard some of the children shouting “we’re going to die” during the alleged incident.
The knife which was the subject of the alleged offence was presented to the court in a plastic container with evidence given that Peavoy had had it on his belt but has also brandished it in his hand during the alleged incidents.
Peavoy also allegedly approached a second bus of children on Gardiner Street an engaged in threatening and abusive behaviour towards the bus driver who closed the bus doors,
During the hearing the Judge Jones requested that Pevavoy who was held in the dock approach the witness stand as he was having difficulty understanding him.
As Peavoy insisted that he did not need a solicitor saying, “What has occurred to me is unlawful, Judge Jones commented that he could not “force” a solicitor to go on record in respect of Peavoy.
He ordered that the accused, who could be heard speaking out of turn during the short hearing, undergo a psychiatric assessment and that he be detained to Clover Hill Prison to appear again before the courts via video link on the 5th of June at 10am.
The Judge praised Gardaí and the bus driver for their actions saying that the accused was “a danger to the public”.
He stated that “the man is a danger to the public in his present state and a danger to children,”.
“Well done to the Gardaí” he said adding “well done to the bus driver”.