Cork teen in threatening behaviour case refused bail

A teenager who allegedly went to the deli counter of a supermarket on his e-scooter and threatened to burn out the manager’s car had an objection to his application for bail.

Detective Garda Bryan English said John Heaphy, aged 18, of 65 An Caisleán Drive, Ballincollig, was barred from numerous shops in Ballincollig but repeatedly ignored this and returned to the stores.

The detective said that when interviewed, the teenager was asked about returning to Quish’s SuperValu in Ballincollig, despite being barred, he told gardaí: “I don’t listen to no one but myself.”

“It is alleged that he was highly abusive to staff. And in relation to the manager he said he would burn out his car and named the make, model and year of the car driven by the manager.

“There are substantial grounds for believing he would commit further offences if granted bail… He is already [required] to stay away from almost every shop in Ballincollig but he ignores this,” Det Garda English said.

Judge John King said that on the face of the evidence before the court the alleged incident was serious, commenting: “He arrived in the premises on his scooter.” 

The judge refused bail. Judge King remanded the teenager in custody until February 18 to allow time for directions to be obtained from the Director of Public Prosecutions.

John Heaphy is charged with engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour at the SuperValu store on January 26, as well as threatening to cause criminal damage to the car belonging to the manager of the supermarket on the same day.

Diane Hallahan, solicitor, asked judge King to recommend to the prison service that he would receive medical attention, particularly in relation to his mental health, and the judge agreed.