Father accused of spitting and coughing at a security guard
By Tom Tuite
A FATHER of two accused of spitting and coughing at a security guard during a “family outing” to the Square Shopping Centre in Tallaght, has been granted bail.
Thomas Wall, 25, with an address at Fortunestown Crescent, Tallaght, was granted bail in his own bond of €500 after he appeared before Judge Dermot Dempsey at Dublin District Court on Thursday last.
Dublin District Court
He was charged with a breach of the peace after he went shopping in Dunnes Stores in the centre on Wednesday with his family but got into a row with a security man.
The offence can result in a three-month sentence and €1,000 fine.
Judge Dempsey said the accused brought his wife and children on an outing to the centre which in current times was “absolutely ridiculous” and he ordered him to abide by HSE recommendations.
His solicitor Lorraine Stephens said the allegation was denied by her client.
Objecting to bail Garda Aidan Thomas said it was possible further assault charges could be brought against Mr Wall. He also submitted that Mr Wall was a risk to public health due to covid-19 pandemic.
He said it was alleged there was CCTV footage of the incident and there were fears he would cough or spit in the face of members of the public which could be harmful.
Garda Thomas said Mr Wall showed no remorse.
He agreed with Mr Wall’s solicitor that the accused had gone shopping with his wife and family which was permissible.
Ms Stephens said it was alleged Mr Wall got into a dispute with a security guard in the centre.
Garda Thomas said Mr Wall spat and coughed in the security man’s direction. It was also witnessed by another security guard, the court was told.
He accepted there was not any mention of coronavirus.
It happened at about 2.25pm and gardai attended at 4pm and later made a phone call to Mr Wall’s home.
The accused then went to the Garda station in Tallaght and “expressed surprise” at the charge. He was asked how he thought the security guard felt and allegedly replied “fuck him”.
The Garda agreed with Ms Stephens that the allegation was that her client had coughed and spat directly in a menacing away.
Due to covid-19 it was decided that he should not be given station bail but instead had to be brought to court. This happened after a superior in Tallaght garda station learned about the alleged cough.
The solicitor said her client would stay away from the shopping centre which would effectively place him under house arrest.
Due to the pandemic Garda Thomas feared he was a risk to public health if he continued to behave this way.
Mr Wall’s wife brought €500 to court which the defence solicitor said was a significant amount for her unemployed client and his young family.
Pleading for bail Ms Stephens said people are under pressure at present but the charge was utterly denied by her client.
Judge Dempsey remanded him on bail to appear at Tallaght District Court on July 9 next with conditions to abide by all HSE recommendations, to stay away from The Square and have no contact with the security man.
He also granted legal aid and made a direction for disclosure of evidence to the defence.
