Athboy man who threatened gardaí with a chainsaw gets chance to ‘prove himself’

An Athboy man who threatened gardaí with a chainsaw and cut marks into the doors of a pub had his case put back to next April so he can ‘prove himself’ to the judge.

Jason Tennanty (38), from Churchview Athboy was in Trim Circuit Court for sentencing on multiple charges including production of an article, criminal damage, and assault causing harm.

The court heard on 22nd February 2023 at 9.30pm in the Waxie's Dargle pub in Athboy Mr Tennanty began an altercation with a barman and another person after being refused a drink because he was too intoxicated. He became irate and started a verbal altercation before assaulting the other person by kicking them in the shin and punching them in the face. Following this the accused went towards the toilets to the smoking area when he was involved with another altercation.

Soon after this he left the pub and went to his van. The barman got all the customers who were outside into the pub and locked it due to being concerned about what Mr Tennanty might do. The accused took a chainsaw out of his van and cut scores into the front and rear door of the pub, leading to €3,841 in damages.

The accused drove home and Sgt O'Brien and Garda McMahon later arrived at his address after being notified of the incident. He was aggressive towards the Gardaí and pushed into Sgt O'Brien's chest. He took out the chainsaw and revved it, threatening the Gardaí. They retreated into their van and locked the doors. Mr Tennanty said he would slice them up and tried to open the door before he hit the wing mirror with the butt of the chainsaw. The accused retreated into his house by the rear door, yelled abuse at gardaí from the sitting room window and threw a flower pot in their direction.

Extra Garda personnel arrived at the scene which included an armed response unit. The accused exited the house and yelled at them, telling the armed unit to shoot him. He was subsequently restrained and arrested.

He was interviewed early the next morning and made full admissions to what occurred. The court heard he had difficulty recalling the incident and was embarrassed by what unfolded. In the interview he said he “just flipped”. He was in custody for two weeks following the incident before being released.

Mr Tennanty has three previous conviction with the most recent being for public order offences from 5th October 2017. The accused was a tree surgeon before this and was on his way from work.

Defending Barrister, SC Kathleen Leader told the court he was a victim of child abuse, which is currently being investigated by gardai, and his mental health difficulties following this were not properly dealt with. Mr Tennanty was self medicating through cocaine and alcohol which only made the issue worse and that “the obvious mental pain” explains his criminal behaviour on the night.

Following this incident he has engaged with mental health treatment and has not consumed any drink or drugs which was confirmed through urine analysis. He is currently engaging with a counsellor in regards to his mental health.

A letter from the accused states that he is remorseful and ashamed that he disappointed the people who care for him “especially his children”.

Judge John Martin told the court it is seriously dangerous behaviour, especially from someone who knows chainsaws and its potential “devastation”, and the charge of the production of an article does not get much more serious than this.

Judge Martin also said his previous trauma and addictions are “not excuses but they are explanations” for his behaviour and noted his efforts to rehabilitate his addiction and mental health issues.

Judge Martin put the case back to 28th April next year, saying to Mr Tennanty he is giving him the opportunity to “prove yourself”.

The accused is to remain drink and drug free and a probation services report is required to see if he is suitable for community service. He is also to pay the €3,841 in damages to Waxie's Dargle pub and the judge told the court a fine is “coming to the forefront of my mind”.

- Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme