Portlaoise Court: Prisoner brought to Portlaoise Courthouse under heavy guard
Portlaoise Courthouse
A SERVING prisoner was brought before Portlaoise District Court last week in chains and under heavy security, escorted by five prison officers with shields, clad in riot gear, helmets and face masks and carrying batons.
Brendan Cummins (30), Lios Dubh, Armagh Road, Dundalk, Co Louth was brought before the court charged with two counts of assault causing harm and with one count of resisting arrest at Portlaoise Prison on 16 February.
The court heard that when the defendant was charged with the offences and cautioned, he made no reply.
Garda Sgt Hughes said the director of public prosecutions (DPP) had directed the case should proceed by way of summary disposal (district court) only on a guilty plea, subject to the presiding judge accepting jurisdiction.
Judge Andrew Cody asked for an outline of the details of the alleged incident to determine whether he would accept jurisdiction.
The court heard that while the defendant was being interviewed by the prison governor and chief prison officer, Mr Cummins allegedly jumped up on the table and allegedly assaulted both men, allegedly inflicting minor injuries to them.
Judge Cody said he would accept jurisdiction and hear the case.
The court heard that the defendant is due for release from prison on 29 October.
Judge Cody remanded Mr Cummins on his own bail to appear again in court via video link from Portlaoise Prison on 14 September.
