Cork father who chased group of teens with a hurley, rather than reporting concerns to gardaí, appears in court 

A Cork father who was concerned about the behaviour of a group of teenagers took the law into his own hands and chased them with a hurley rather than reporting the matter to An Garda Síochána.

Frank Buttimer, solicitor, said that 37-year-old Roy Miller now acknowledged that he was wrong to try to deal with the youths himself as he faced sentencing at Cork District Court on a range of charges arising out of this and other incidents.

Background 

Sergeant Gearóid Davis outlined the background to this and other incidents on which Roy Miller faced charges.

In the most serious incident, a group of youths ran into a service station toilet and hid – only for staff at the premises to witness two older men arriving moments later armed with hurleys.

Roy Miller of Peacock Row, North Monastery Road, Cork, pleaded guilty to charges of possession of a weapon, namely the hurley, being threatening and abusive, being drunk and a danger, causing criminal damage and failing to provide his name and address to Garda Chris Campbell.

Sergeant Davis said, “At approximately 6.15 p.m. on Saturday May 7 2022 staff were working behind the tills of the shop at the Circle K service station in Douglas observed a group of youths running into the store and hiding in the customer toilets.

“Two men were observed running into the shop, both of them carrying hurleys and brandishing them in a threatening manner.

“Roy Miller began to smash and hit the hurley he was carrying off the shop walls causing dents to the back of the doors and that he was acting in a wild and aggressive manner.

“The two men continued to search for the youths who were hiding, before being asked to leave.

“20 minutes later after the arrival of gardaí, he (the defendant) returned to the Circle K brandishing a hurley in a threatening manner chasing the same group of youths in the shop. He was arrested at the scene.” 

Frank Buttimer defence solicitor said the accused had spent six months in custody on the charges already.

“He is 37 years old, a father of seven children. He has a longstanding alcohol difficulty which is untreated. He has not looked at it in a meaningful way,” he said.

Probation report

Judge Mary Dorgan decided to direct the preparation of a probation report in advance of sentencing. 

Mr Buttimer said Mr Miller was keen to have sentencing finalised but accepted the value of having a probation report prepared.

Judge Dorgan explained to the accused about the importance of a probation report in terms of directing him to support services.

“It would serve you well. It would be beneficial for you to desist from this behaviour. I hope you engage well and that things work out,” Judge Dorgan said.

Sentencing was adjourned until January with the accused remanded in continuing custody.