Chaotic scenes as man shouts at Longford judge: ‘Go ahead, just get me out of court’

David Stafford, 70 Ardnacassa Avenue, Longford was brought before last week's sitting of Longford District Court where a series of charges were read out before Judge Bernadette Owens.

Those charges included an allegation the accused carried out an aggravated burglary on April 23 this year at 2 Palace Crescent, Longford.

During the course of that incident, Mr Stafford is accused of entering the aforementioned property while armed with a golf club.

At the same address, Mr Stafford is also accused of assaulting a woman.

The Longford man was also charged with being found in the possession of two crowbars, two screwdrivers, a bottle of ammonia and a pair of gloves.

A charge of criminal damage, relating to the alleged damage by Mr Stafford of five panes of glass belonging to a living room window was also handed into Judge Bernadette Owens.

A section 17 charge whereby Mr Stafford was allegedly found in the possession of stolen property including various tools was withdrawn by the State.

The court was told the alleged section 2 assault was a “summary matter”, meaning it could be heard at District Court level.

The accused, who is already facing trial in relation to charges of possession of a knife, two counts of threatening to kill a named individual and taking possession of a vehicle without the consent of the owner.

Garda Lorraine Sheil gave evidence of charging Mr Stafford, who is in custody, prior to last Tuesday's district court sitting.

She said Mr Stafford made no reply when the charges were put to him.

When Garda Shiel said she wished to make an amendment to a chare sheet which carried a reference to Ferafad as opposed to Palace Crescent, where the alleged offences are purported to have been committed, Mr Stafford shouted: “It should be struck out, this is a paper exercise. It's a joke.”

In attempting to restore calm, Judge Owens said the matters Mr Stafford was charged with would be dealt with in “due course”, the accused snapped: “Hopefully not by you. It's a f****** joke and a mockery to the justice system.”

When discussions were aired surrounding an application to alter the address on the charge, Mr Stafford asked Judge Owens: 'Your going to amend it?”

In reply, Judge Owens said given the fact the said charge was the first time it had come before the court she would be acceding to the State's application, prompting Mr Stafford to yell back: “Go ahead, just get me out of court for f***'s sake.”

Despite defence solicitor Bríd Mimnagh's attempts to correct the court's record by stating both Ferafad and Palace Crescent were “two completely different areas, Mr Stafford turned his ire towards the experienced Longford solicitor by shouting: “Your sacked.”

In proceeding to shout obscenities in court, the 47-year-old was ushered out of court.

Mr Stafford was remanded in continuing custody to a sitting of Longford District Court on Tuesday.

Mr Stafford's promise to change his legal team proved short-lived, however, as Ms Mimnagh represented the Longford man in court earlier this week when he appeared in front of Judge Miriam Walsh.