‘Covid isn’t real’ – man takes off mask in shop and refuses to leave
A MAN had to be forcibly restrained and arrested in a shop when he refused to leave after taking off his mask and saying “Covid isn’t real,” a court heard.
Conor De Ferreira came into the homeware store and shouted abuse and threats at the gardai, who were there to talk to the manager about an unrelated incident.
The incident happened at The Range, Liffey Valley Retail Park
Blanchardstown District Court heard Ferreira, aged 24, had buried his dog at the time of the public order disturbance and “wasn’t in a good place”.
Judge Gerard Jones told him to pay €600 to charity if he wants to avoid criminal convictions.
De Ferreira, with an address at St Mark’s Green, Clondalkin, pleaded guilty to engaging in threatening, abusive and insulting words or behaviour and failing to comply with the directions of a garda at The Range, Liffey Valley Retail Park, Clondakin on February 18, 2021.
Sergeant Maria Callaghan said at 2pm, gardai were in the shop dealing with “a separate matter” and were speaking to the manager.
The accused entered the shop and remarked “Covid isn’t real” as he passed the gardai, Sgt Callaghan said.
When approached and told he was required to wear a mask, the accused said “it’s a load of bollocks, this thing.” He was told he should leave if he refused to wear the mask and De Ferreira shouted “f**k off, you c**t” and refused.
The gardai had “no option” but to arrest him, Sgt Callaghan said, and he had to be forcibly restrained.
The accused shouted “I’m going to f**king kill you” and damage was caused in the shop as gardai were pushed against shelves. Sgt Callaghan added that De Ferreira was only charged with public order offences and not in relation to the damage. He had no prior convictions.
Solicitor William Cadogan, defending, said De Ferreira apologised, he had not been “in a good place” and had “buried his dog.” He said this was by way of explanation only.
De Ferreira was a painter and decorator and had his whole life in front of him, Mr Cadogan said, asking the judge not to convict his client.
Judge Jones remanded the accused on continuing bail to December 16 and said he would leave him without a criminal record if he paid €600 to charity. He was doing this provided the accused behaved himself in future, he said.
In default of making the charity payment, the judge said De Ferreira would be convicted and fined €750.
By subscribing to The Echo you are supporting your local newspaper Click Here: Echo Online.
