Man charged with pitchfork incident changes legal representative

A Raphoe man charged with threatening Gardai with a pitchfork has changed his legal team.

James Clarke, a 59-year-old of Maherahane, Raphoe, was before Monday’s sitting of Letterkenny District Court.

Clarke is charged with threatening to cause harm to members of An Garda Siochana in the course of a dispute produce, in a manner likely to unlawfully intimidate another person and article capable of inflicting seriours injury, to wit, a large pitch fork, contrary to section 11 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990.

The alleged incident took place at Meherahane, Raphoe on January 19 last.

Clarke was previously before Ballyshannon District Court in late January, when Clarke was ordered to sign on once a week at Letterkenny Garda Station.

Then, Clarke was told by Judge Brendan O’Reilly not to interfere with ESB power lines and plants, or to interfere with ESB personnel, servants or agents, if they are carrying out repairs or any subcontractors acting on their behalf, on any electricity infrastructure.   

Letterkenny District Court heard that solicitor Mr Donough Clerary would now be representing Clarke.

The matter was adjourned by Judge Éiteáin Cunningham until May 8 for directions.