threats to kill | 

Man threatened to kill garda as second man made gun gestures at the officer

There was an argument and a scrambler bike was removed from the scene.

Eimear Cotter

Today at 07:15

A man made threats to kill against a garda, his home and his family while a second man made gun gestures at the officer, a court has heard.

Ernestas Steponkus (30) and Luke Donnan (24) had no excuses for their behaviour, which was reprehensible, their lawyer said.

Judge Monika Leech said the garda was effectively threatened and set upon, and it must have been a terrible experience.

In relation to Donnan, Judge Leech imposed a three-month sentence, suspended for one year.

For Steponkus, the judge ordered a probation report and adjourned sentencing to a date in June.

Steponkus, of Buirg an Rí Walk, Balgaddy, Lucan, and Donnan, of Foxdene Avenue in Clondalkin, admitted making threats to kill or cause serious harm to Garda Michael Staunton on February 15, 2021.

Sergeant Killian Leydon told Blanchardstown District Court Gda Staunton was on mobile patrol in the Balgaddy area when he received a report of a scrambler bike being driven around.

Gda Staunton was on Buirg an Rí Walk, where he encountered Steponkus.

There was an argument and a scrambler bike was removed from the scene.

Steponkus then made a number of threats to the garda, Sgt Leydon said, including a threat to kill him and threats against his private dwelling and his family.

Donnan, who was standing beside Steponkus, did not speak, but he made gun gestures to Gda Staunton.

The court heard that both men had previous convictions.

Defence solicitor Simon Fleming said Donnan had since sought out the garda and had apologised for his behaviour, and the apology had been accepted by the officer.

Mr Fleming said Donnan’s behaviour was the lesser of the two men. He said the incident happened in 2021 and the threats had not been actioned upon.

Mr Fleming said Donnan, a father of one, was a much younger man at the time of the incident.

Donnan also realised his behaviour was reprehensible, and he had not tried to justify it.

In relation to Steponkus, Mr Fleming said was at risk of a jail sentence and the court would benefit from a probation report.

threats to kill | 

Man threatened to kill garda as second man made gun gestures at the officer

There was an argument and a scrambler bike was removed from the scene.

Eimear Cotter

Today at 07:15

A man made threats to kill against a garda, his home and his family while a second man made gun gestures at the officer, a court has heard.

Ernestas Steponkus (30) and Luke Donnan (24) had no excuses for their behaviour, which was reprehensible, their lawyer said.

Judge Monika Leech said the garda was effectively threatened and set upon, and it must have been a terrible experience.

In relation to Donnan, Judge Leech imposed a three-month sentence, suspended for one year.

For Steponkus, the judge ordered a probation report and adjourned sentencing to a date in June.

Steponkus, of Buirg an Rí Walk, Balgaddy, Lucan, and Donnan, of Foxdene Avenue in Clondalkin, admitted making threats to kill or cause serious harm to Garda Michael Staunton on February 15, 2021.

Sergeant Killian Leydon told Blanchardstown District Court Gda Staunton was on mobile patrol in the Balgaddy area when he received a report of a scrambler bike being driven around.

Gda Staunton was on Buirg an Rí Walk, where he encountered Steponkus.

There was an argument and a scrambler bike was removed from the scene.

Steponkus then made a number of threats to the garda, Sgt Leydon said, including a threat to kill him and threats against his private dwelling and his family.

Donnan, who was standing beside Steponkus, did not speak, but he made gun gestures to Gda Staunton.

The court heard that both men had previous convictions.

Defence solicitor Simon Fleming said Donnan had since sought out the garda and had apologised for his behaviour, and the apology had been accepted by the officer.

Mr Fleming said Donnan’s behaviour was the lesser of the two men. He said the incident happened in 2021 and the threats had not been actioned upon.

Mr Fleming said Donnan, a father of one, was a much younger man at the time of the incident.

Donnan also realised his behaviour was reprehensible, and he had not tried to justify it.

In relation to Steponkus, Mr Fleming said was at risk of a jail sentence and the court would benefit from a probation report.