Man who had stand-off in Garda station wanted 'to harm Caucasian males and himself'

Tom Tuite

A man with profound mental health problems walked into the public office of a Dublin Garda station with four knives, saying "he wished to harm Caucasian males and himself," it has been alleged.

The incident in Blanchardstown, early on Tuesday morning, triggered a five-hour "stand-off" with armed gardaí and negotiators, a late sitting of Dublin District Court heard.

Former landscaping foreman, Simon Naidu, 30, with an address at Delhurst, Ongar, and lately residing at a charity-provided apartment in Dublin 15, was charged with four counts of possessing offensive weapons.

He was refused bail when he appeared before Judge Karen Dowling on Wednesday evening. She remanded him in custody and requested that he receive urgent medical and psychiatric attention in prison.

Garda Daniel Reardon opposed bail, telling Judge Dowling that the accused entered the station at 3.45 am with four kitchen knives.

"The accused stated to gardaí that he wished to harm Caucasian males and also harm himself," Garda Reardon said. There was also a significant number of witnesses.

He added that Mr Naidu kept the knives in his possession for five hours during the stand-off with armed gardaí and negotiators.

Initially detained under the Mental Health Act, Mr Naidu was released from Connolly Memorial Hospital on Tuesday night following a medical evaluation.

Mr Naidu was then rearrested and made no reply when charged.

Defence counsel, Kevin McCrave, said his client had profound mental health difficulties, which the garda agreed was the case.

Twice last year, he was sectioned in a hospital and a care centre under the mental health laws, but was released on each occasion.

The barrister said he had no close family in Ireland.

"I am here a long time," Mr Naidu told the court, adding that he came to Ireland 26 years ago and had gone to primary and secondary school here.

Asked by the judge if he understood what was going on, Mr Naidu replied, "No, not really to be honest."

"I am a refugee," he said, and when pointed out the length of time he has been in the State, he followed up saying, "I am still a refugee."

He also informed the judge that he was fired from his job following a crash while driving a company vehicle on the M50.

Counsel informed the judge that the man received help from another family but had no other support.

It also emerged that after the hospital released him, he was contacted by phone and went back to the station, where he was arrested.

The barrister said he did not know why the hospital did not keep the man, and the diagnosis of his suffering was unknown.

Judge Dowling noted that he was welcome to return to his accommodation, but also recognised the seriousness of the case and held that the threshold for denying bail had been met.

Mr Naidu, dressed in a purple top, blue jeans and runners, has yet to enter a plea.

Legal aid was granted, and he has been remanded in custody to appear again.

Directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions must be obtained.