Court hears man in the Midlands allegedly threatened to kill woman and her entire family before 'waving' chainsaw around

A judge has deemed allegations a Longford man threatened to kill a woman and her entire family shortly before arriving at a house in Ballinalee while armed with a chainsaw as too serious to be heard in the District Court.

Judge Miriam Walsh refused jurisdiction upon hearing evidence concerning an alleged incident at Corneddan, Ballinalee, Co Longford on March 26 this year.

Last week’s sitting of Longford District Court heard how Kieran McNally (34), Greagh, Drumlish, Co Longford became involved in a verbal spat with the alleged victim after she arrived at his home in Drumlish to return a television.

The court heard following that exchange the victim and her partner left and made their way to an address at Cornedden, Ballinalee, Co Longford.

Sgt Enda Daly, in outlining the prosecution’s case, said it was at this juncture Mr McNally contacted both the alleged victim and her partner during which a number of menacing threats were made to the woman.

“It was alleged during these phone calls he is alleged to have threatened to kill the injured party and all her family,” he said.

Soon after, Mr McNally allegedly arrived at the aforementioned address “armed with a chainsaw”.

Sgt Daly said it would be the State’s case Mr McNally then proceeded to “wave” the chainsaw in the air outside the property moments before taking it to a nearby timber fence.

Mr McNally was consequently charged with threatening to kill or cause serious harm to the woman as well as allegedly causing criminal damage to the fence.

He was also charged with allegedly damaging the custody area of a garda van on the following day contrary to Section 2 of the Criminal Damage Act.

Standing with his hands clasped behind his back, the accused did not speak during the course of last Tuesday’s hearing.

Upon hearing details surrounding the alleged incident, Judge Miriam Walsh asked: “The DPP recommended summary disposal?”

“Threats to kill and he arrived up with a chainsaw and was waving it around, is that what you are telling me?”

Sgt Daly replied: “Yes, those are the allegations.”

Judge Walsh refused jurisdiction with the case now expected to be sent back to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to determine its suitability to be sent forward to the Circuit Criminal Court.

Mr McNally was remanded on continuing bail to December 12.