A MAN WHO allegedly mugged two boys and an older youth in Limerick, threw a bottle of Coke at a judge after she refused him bail.
Clyde Keogh engaged in “a 20-minute violent crime spree specifically targeting school children”, A Garda told a court this afternoon.
During a bail hearing before Limerick District Court, gardaí alleged Clyde Keogh threatened to “stab” and “shoot” the four victims unless they gave him their mobile phones.
When he was refused bail he flung a Coke bottle at judge Marian O’Leary, narrowly missing her.
Mr Keogh, of Ballyclough Avenue, Ballinacurra Weston, Limerick, appearing in court charged with three counts of robbery and one count of attempted robbery, was refused bail.
Accused
He is accused of robbing a 13-year old boy of a black Sony Xperia M2 Aqua mobile phone worth €250 at Athlunkard Street, Limerick, on 25 January.
Gardaí allege that Keogh threatened to shoot the boy unless he handed him his phone.
He is also charged with stealing an iPhone 4 worth €300 from a 15-year old boy at Canal Bank, Lee Estate, Limerick on the same date, and he is charged with the attempted robbery of another 15-year old boy at Athlunkard Street, Limerick, also on 25 January.
Mr Keogh, who the court heard resides with his mother, is further charged with robbing an 18-year old man of a Galaxy 3 mobile phone worth €300 on the same date, also on Athlunkard Street.
During a bail hearing this afternoon, Detective Garda Dan Haugh, Mayorstone garda station said: “It is alleged the accused engaged in a violent crime spree in a 20-minute period at rush hour, specifically targeting school children in a violent manner.”
The first incident is alleged to have occurred at 7.55am on the morning of 25 January, when Gardaí say Mr Keogh attempted to rob a 15-year-old boy who was walking to school.
Mobile phone
Det Garda Haugh alleged the accused told the boy he had a knife and would stab him if he didn’t hand over his mobile phone.
The court heard the boy fled and reported the incident at his school.
Detective Haugh said the second alleged incident occurred ten minutes later when an 18-year old male gave the accused his phone after Mr Keogh allegedly threatened to stab him.
The detective said the third alleged incident occurred at 8.05am on the morning in question when “a juvenile victim was cycling to school”.
Detective Garda Haugh alleged the accused again threatened to stab the boy unless he handed over his phone.
One of the boys told gardaí he was on his way to school when he was met by the accused who told him he would “shoot him” unless he gave him his phone, said Detective Haugh.
“The accused took the phone from his pocket and fled,” Detective Haugh said.
Under cross-examination Det Garda Haugh accepted the accused did not have a weapon on him when he allegedly carried out the robberies.
Missile
Gardai said the alleged offences occurred “a stone’s throw” from Limerick courthouse.
Objecting to bail under Section 2 of the Bail Act, Detective Haugh said he believed the accused would “continue to commit further serious offences”.
Mr Keogh broke down as he appealed with the court to grant bail.
He told Judge O’Leary: “I have a son, he’s only three weeks old and he’s getting christened in three weeks time. I don’t want to miss his christening.”
After Judge O’Leary refused bail, Mr Keogh flung a bottle of Coke at her and screamed as he was taken to a court holding cell.
“I don’t think he helped himself,” the judge said.
“Perhaps prisoners shouldn’t have anything in court capable of being missiles,” she added.
She remanded Mr Keogh in custody to appear before Limerick District Court again next Tuesday 2 February.
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