Courts / Dublin / Report
Thief threatened to shoot garda's wife and children
Summary
Douglas Purcell, aged 40, pleaded guilty to a single count of making a threat to kill or cause serious harm after threatening to shoot a garda's wife and children. The incident occurred on 20 August 2017 at Ballyfermot Garda Station, where Purcell, who had been arrested on a separate charge, approached the injured party, threatened to follow him home and shoot his family, and performed push‑ups on the ground. He was arrested on 11 September 2017, interviewed once, and made no admissions. A victim impact statement was read, describing the victim's paranoia, installation of CCTV, and poor sleep. Purcell apologized for calling names but denied making threats, and his defence counsel highlighted his mental health issues, drug addiction, and previous convictions for theft and criminal damage. Judge Orla Crowe adjourned the case to April, ordered Purcell to engage with the Probation Service, and directed the prosecution to contact the victim regarding the expression of remorse.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Thief threatened to shoot garda's wife and children. Charges or matters: one count of making a threat to kill or cause serious harm at Ballyfermot Garda Station on August 20, 2017. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- August 20, 2017 Adjournment
- September 11, 2017 Incident
- 2023-02-27 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: one count of making a threat to kill or cause serious harm at Ballyfermot Garda Station on August 20, 2017 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: At Dublin Circuit Criminal Court today, Judge Orla Crowe adjourned the case to April and ordered Purcell to engage with the Probation Service during this period.
Places mentioned
- Springdale Road
- Dublin
- serious harm at Ballyfermot Garda Station
- and taken to Ballyfermot Garda Station
- At Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Dublin
Topics
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