Landlord charged with making a threat to kill or cause harm to former tenant
THE DPP will consent to a landlord being returned for trial over allegations that he threatened to kill a former tenant, saying he would pay to “get him shot”.
Blanchardstown District Court heard the prosecution would agree to the case against Niall Cloke being sent forward to Dublin Circuit Criminal Court when a book of evidence is ready.
Blanchardstown District Court
Judge Gerard Jones remanded the accused on continuing bail.
Mr Cloke, aged 49, with an address at Wheatfield Grove, Clondalkin, is charged with making a threat to kill or cause serious harm, under the Non Fatal Offences Against the Person Act.
The offence is alleged to have happened at an unknown location on November 11, 2019.
The judge adjourned the case to June 16, for the preparation of the book of evidence.
At an earlier date, the court heard the DPP directed summary disposal, with the issue of jurisdiction to be considered by the judge.
Giving a summary of the prosecution’s case, Sergeant Walter Sweeney said the alleged victim reported to gardai that his former landlord threatened him in the course of a discussion on the phone about the return of a deposit.
Mr Cloke allegedly threatened to “get a gun and put a bullet in his head,” and that he would pay €5,000 “to get him shot,” the court heard.
Sgt Sweeney said the accused allegedly said the man would return to Romania “either walking or in a box”.
The alleged threats had a “profound” effect on him, the man told gardai.
“He believed the accused would do these things to him,” Sgt Sweeney said.
Mr Cloke had also spoken about the alleged victim’s girlfriend, the man had told gardai. The accused had said he would watch her leaving work and where she lived, it was alleged. As a result, the man feared for his girlfriend’s safety.
The court was told the alleged victim video recorded the conversation which was on loudspeaker and gave this to the gardai.
When this was investigated, the accused presented himself at Ronanstown Garda Station.
Judge David McHugh refused jurisdiction at the earlier hearing.
