Man threatened to stun mother with Taser in carjacking

41-year-old man charged with robbery and false imprisonment denied bail

Francis Gavigan was arrested by gardai at his home in Cahir, Co Tipperary. Photograph: Bryan O’Brien / The Irish Times
Francis Gavigan was arrested by gardai at his home in Cahir, Co Tipperary. Photograph: Bryan O’Brien / The Irish Times

A 41-year-old man, who allegedly threatened to stun a mother-of-two with a Taser gun and take her children during a carjacking in Dublin, has been denied bail.

Francis Gavigan with an address at Cahir Park Cottages, Ardfinnan Rd, Cahir, Co Tipperary appeared at Dublin District Court today, charged in connection with the incident which began after the woman's BMW car came to a stop at traffic lights on the city's south-side at about 3.40pm last Friday.

He is charged with robbery of €600 from her at Terenure Road East, and falsely imprisoning her at Zion Road.

Gda Patrick Farrell told Judge Michael Walsh that Mr Gavigan was arrested yesterday and "made no reply" when he was charged with the two offences.

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Judge Walsh also heard Mr Gavigan was making a bail application but Gda Farrell objected saying he believed the defendant would commit offences.

He also cited the seriousness of the case and told the court it was alleged the accused “approached a car occupied by a female and two young children when it was stopped at traffic lights”.

Gda Farrell said the 41-year-old allegedly “approached with what he said was a Taser gun and that he would Taser the female injured party and take away the two children if she did not bring him to an ATM”.

The court heard she drove to the Rathgar area and was allegedly compelled to withdraw €600 from a bank machine before the man was driven to the Portobello area in the city where he got out of the car.

Gda Farrell also said CCTV footage has been obtained and the evidence included a distinctively coloured scarf, runners and garden gloves.

Defence counsel Edward Doocey asked the court to note that his client, who was granted free legal aid, lived close to a Garda station.

The defendant had been arrested at his home where he lives with his partner and gardai were satisfied that he resided there, Mr Doocey argued during the bail hearing.

He also said his client would appear before the court on the next date and would not be a risk to the community.

However, Judge Walsh said he had noted the seriousness of the charge as well as the nature of the evidence and he refused to grant bail to the accused.

Mr Gavigan, who was wearing a dark blue tracksuit and runners, was remanded in custody and will face his next hearing on Thursday at Cloverhill District Court.

He remained silent throughout the proceedings and has not yet told the court how he will be pleading. Directions from the DPP also have to be obtained.