Man ‘locked himself in SuperValu store room’ in Carrigaline

Gardaí tried for 45 minutes to get a man to come out of a locked store room at Collins SuperValu in Carrigaline, but he caused an estimated €4,000 in damage before he was arrested, it was alleged at Cork District Court.

Sergeant John Dineen said there was a garda objection to bail being granted to the accused man, Thomas Keenan, aged 39, with an address at 7 Church Court, Church Road, Cork, and originally from the Mahon area of Cork.

Garda Orla Leahy said that on Saturday, August 29, gardaí responded to a call of a man causing a disturbance at Collins SuperValu in Carrigaline.

“On arrival, gardaí were informed that a male had become violent in the store and then entered the strong room of the premises and refused to open the door,” Garda Leahy said.

“Gardaí spoke to the accused through the door for approximately 45 minutes with a view to getting him to come out. Gardaí were eventually able to open the door.

“But Thomas Keenan resisted opening the door fully, resulting in him pulling down shelving and stationery to barricade himself into the room and prevent his arrest. Officers were left with no option but to deploy their pepper spray as he had forced the steel door onto the legs of two members of An Garda Síochána.

“He was eventually subdued. During the course of searching the male, a key for an adjacent premises was located in his pocket.

“Approximately €4,000 of damage was caused to the office at SuperValu.”

The accused had recently returned from England for a funeral, and there were concerns that he was a flight risk. Mr Keenan said this was untrue, and that he had been living in Douglas for the past four years.

He said he had alcohol problems in the past but not now, and he denied garda evidence that he had a drug problem at any time.

Appealing for bail, he said: “I will stay out of any shops you want. There was no intention to commit any burglary. I was in fear for my life, that is why I went into that room.”

Judge Treasa Kelly remanded him in custody with consent to bail on his own bond of €500, of which €300 cash is to be lodged, and an independent surety of €500 or cash lodgement of €500. He was also given a curfew of 11pm to 6am and told to sign on daily at Togher Garda Station. The case was adjourned until September 7.