Defendant with kitchen knife threatened to kill man at Longford direct provision centre

Longford resident, who assaulted a garda and threatened to kill another man at a Longford based direct provision centre, has been jailed.

Youcef Mohamoud (27) of Richmond Court, Richmond Street, Longford pleaded guilty at Longford District Court to spitting on Garda Kevin McGloin and threatening to kill or cause serious harm to another man along with the criminal damage of a garda cell.

Sergeant Enda Daly said Gardaí went to the scene following a report of an incident involving a male resident at Richmond Court direct provision accommodation centre on May 18 at 12.20am and a statement of complaint was taken from security personnel.

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Mr Mohamoud, who was aggressive, was captured on CCTV embroiled in a verbal dispute with another man in the dining area and moments later he removed an item from his shorts pocket.

Sgt Daly said the defendant can be seen walking past the complainant, almost bumping foreheads in an aggressive manner, before turning off the fridge and a kitchen knife could then be seen in the defendant's right hand.

"He then proceeds to stab wall tiles and at this time the injured party alleged he warned him, 'I will kill you if you turn on the fridge again, I will f**k you up'.

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Sgt Daly said the defendant was arrested but he was aggressive towards Gardaí and started screaming in Arabic while being placed in the patrol car and he had to be physically restrained as he attempted to bite and spit at Garda Sean Harrison.

Sgt Daly said when Mr Mohamoud was placed inside a cell at Longford Garda Station he spat on the door, however. he made admissions and he cooperated with Gardaí.

When officers arrived at the scene the defendant was shouting in the middle of Richmond Road and disrupting traffic.

"He we raising his hands and his knees and clearly he was in a vulnerable state and Gardaí invoked Section 12 of the Mental Health Act for his own safety."

Sgt Daly said following enquiries it was established that the defendant had allegedly jumped on the bonnet of a vehicle, which was in slow moving traffic at Richmond Street, Longford and he caused €200 of damage to that vehicle.

The court heard while in custody but prior to his arrival in Longford, whilst in custody, the defendant smeared the walls in blood from a previous injury sustained on the wall and he urinated in a blanket on the floor and he put a soiled blanket down the toilet bowl of the cell.

Sgt Daly said the cost of cleaning the cell was €150.

"While in custody and being charged by Garda Kevin McGloin for offences pertinent for court the defendant spat on Garda McGloin's face after ripping up the charge sheet and the incident was caught on garda station CCTV."

Mr Mohamoud had one previous conviction.

Solicitor Bríd Mimnagh said her client had been notified he was being repatriated back to his home country, but he would like to appeal the decision to the High Court and remain here.

Ms Mimnagh said a report had been compiled on her client, who moved to Ireland in November 2021, and he has 'medical difficulties'.

"He accepts responsibility for his behaviour and he acknowledges the charges, it appears to be as a result of intoxication and substance abuse," she added.

Judge Bernadette Owens noted there were three separate sets of offences before the court as she imposed a three month prison sentence backdated to May 19 last on the assault charge and a five month prison sentence, which was suspended for an 18 month period