Man went to ex-partner’s home armed with crossbow, hatchet and sword, court hears, as bail granted

17th August 2022

An “agitated” man was armed with a crossbow, hatchet and sword during an incident at his former partner’s home, a court has heard.

Gardaí arrested Robert Blake (47), from Ratoath Road, Finglas, Dublin, following an incident in Lusk, north Co Dublin, on Monday night.

He was charged with possessing weapons and producing articles “capable of inflicting serious injury”, damaging a door with a hatchet, being intoxicated in public and breaching the peace.

He appeared before Judge John King at Dublin District Court yesterday.

Garda Tiberiu Badiceanu told Judge King the accused made no reply to the charges.

The arresting officer objected to bail, citing witness intimidation fears. Judge King noted directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) were required, and the garda believed there would be additional charges.

The court heard Mr Blake had previously lived in Lusk, next door to his ex-partner.

At about 11.30pm on Monday, it was alleged Mr Blake saw her through her window and became “agitated” before he started shouting and damaging her front door “with a hatchet”. The bail hearing was told he also had a crossbow, sword and wood baton.

The court heard gardaí arrested him a short distance away. Gardaí seized his clothes and he was dressed in a boilersuit for the hearing.

Garda Badiceanu told the court he observed a cut in the wood of the woman’s front door. He added that the accused had lived next door, and it was feared he would intimidate her.

However, under cross-examination, he accepted the man no longer resided there or in that area.

The alleged injured party could not attend the proceedings, the garda said.

Defence solicitor Fergal Boyle argued there was no hard evidence his client would intimidate the woman.

He added that Mr Blake agreed to obey a range of bail conditions including curfews and having no contact with the complainant.

The judge remanded him on €300 bail to appear at Swords District Court in October for directions from the DPP and “possible further charges”.

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