Man told shop security guard he would 'slit his throat if he rang the gardaí'

Evan Nicholl (24) also made threats to a store security guard in a separate incident, telling the man he would "slit his throat if he rang the gardaí".

Judge Victor Blake sentenced Nicholl to 10 months in prison, saying the experiences could not have been pleasant for the parties.

The defendant, who is homeless, admitted criminal damage at Mr Price in Tallaght on March 3 last year.

Sergeant Olywn Murphy told Cloverhill District Court that Nicholl was stopped by staff as he walked out of the store.

When he was stopped, Nicholl threw a drinks bottle at a checkout area, but it hit a light fitting, which fell to the ground, narrowly missing a four-year-old child, Sgt Murphy said. The defendant ran from the shop but was later arrested, taken to Tallaght garda station and charged.

The damage amounted to €300, the sergeant added.

In another incident at Centra, Killinarden, on May 23 last year, Sgt Murphy said Nicholl was stopped by security staff and asked to hand over a drinks bottle.

Sgt Murphy said Nicholl was aggressive toward the security guard, knocking him into a wall and threatening to headbutt him.

Sgt Murphy said the defendant threatened to smash a bottle over the victim's head and threatened to slit his throat if he rang gardaí.

Nicholl also told the security man to wait and see what would happen if he contacted gardaí.

The court heard Nicholl had 30 previous convictions.

Defence lawyer Brian Mulvany said Nicholl had been before Cloverhill court on several occasions in the recent past and had admitted a number of offences. Mr Mulvany said the defendant wished to apologise for his actions.

Nicholl had suffered a lot due to a drug addiction, which was the cause of his offending behaviour, the court heard.

Mr Mulvany said Nicholl had suffered a significant injury to his leg and as a result he had not been able to work in the kitchens or gardens while in custody.

Nicholl was also realistic as to what he was facing, the lawyer added.