Courts / Dublin / Report

Dad who made threat to kill claimed hands were down 'jocks' as 'comfort thing'

Date
2021-03-12

Stage
Hearing Or Decision

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

Brian Butler, 38, a father of six, threatened a security guard at a Tesco in Ballybrack on 25 August 2017, saying he would shoot him and that he would do ten years. He denied holding a gun under his trousers, claiming he normally kept his hands down his jocks as a comfort thing. Butler told the guard he was preparing to punch him and was tying his tracksuit waistband to run away. A week later he threatened two other guards who witnessed the earlier threats, saying they would be shot if they did not drop the charges. He pleaded guilty to making a threat to kill and to two intimidation of witnesses charges. The court, led by Judge Karen O'Connor, suspended a three‑year prison term on strict conditions, warning that any breach would result in serving the full term. The judge noted Butler's moderate risk of reoffending and his efforts to address drug addiction.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Dad who made threat to kill claimed hands were down 'jocks' as 'comfort thing'. Charges or matters: making a threat to kill at the Ballybrack shopping centre. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

August 25, 2017 Other
September 2, 2017 Incident
2021-03-12 Publication

Why: He told gardaí that he was preparing to punch the victim and was tying the waistband of his tracksuit bottoms in order to get ready to run off afterwards. CNI source report