Bench warrant issued for man alleged to have defecated in prison cell
Judge Éiteáin Cunningham made the order at Ballyshannon District Court
A bench warrant has been issued against a Tyrone man who failed to appear at Ballyshannon District Court on an alleged criminal damage charge.
Garda Sergeant Oliver Devaney applied for a bench warrant to be issued for Tomas Flanagan, 35, of Berkeley Heights, Omagh, Tyrone, when he was not present at Ballyshannon Courthouse, before Judge Éiteáin Cunningham.
Flanagan faces a charge that is contrary to Section 2(1) of the Criminal Damage Act, 1991.
It is alleged that on March 23, 2026, at Ballyshannon Garda Station, he did, without lawful excuse, damage property, to wit, defecating on the floor and walls of the Ballyshannon Garda Station prisoner cell belonging to the Chief Superintendent, An Garda Síochána, Donegal, intending to damage such property or being reckless as to whether such property would be damaged.
Garda Sergeant Oliver Devaney applied for a bench warrant to be issued when Flanagan was not present to answer in court.
Judge Cunningham noted that Flanagan was not present and said: “I will proceed with your application.”