Court order means man can’t go near Cork's Sacred Heart Church

Threatening behaviour at a church in Cork is one of the charges faced by a 50-year-old man appearing at Cork District Court.

Stephen McNamara, of Cork Simon Community was arrested and brought before the court charged with engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour giving rise to a concern that a breach of the peace would occur at Sacred Heart church on Western Road, Cork, at 8.30am on Sunday, September 13.

Garda Niall McGrath said there was a court order against the accused to stay away from the church. 

The defendant has also been charged with contravening a civil court order requiring him not to be within 300m of the church. The same defendant was also charged with shoplifting of a small number of food items at Tesco at Dennehy’s Cross, Cork, on August 11.

On the application of Sergeant John Dineen, Judge David Waters remanded Stephen McNamara on bail until October 12 on these three charges. 

However, the judge warned the accused man about any future breach of the order to stay away from the church.

“Breach it again and there is a strong possibility I will remand you in custody.”