BREAKING: Knife produced during robberies at Kildare take aways, it's claimed in court

Two men attempted to carry out robberies at two County Kildare take away food premises to feed a drug habit, it was alleged at Naas District Court today.

Patrick Behan, 41, whose address was given as 3407 Bishopsland, Kildare town and Stefan O’Leary, 21, whose address was given as 25 Roseberry Court, Newbridge, are being prosecuted for on two counts of attempted robbery, production of an article and resisting arrest.

Garda Lorraine Foran told of receiving a report of an incident at the Apache Pizza outlet, Eyre Street, Newbridge, on March 27 at 8.40, during which a knife was produced. While en route to this and accompanied by a colleague, she saw two males on top of the counter at the Yummi Yaki Chinese food premises, Charlotte Street, Newbridge.

The pair had their faces covered and one had a large knife, measuring at least 12 inches long and was “swiping” with it. They were kicking at a protective screen and when the two gardaí identified themselves the pair ran at them.

Gda Foran sustained a bang to the head and deployed pepper spray before the pair were arrested.

She described the knife as a steel carving type, which was handed into court.

The garda described Patrick Behan as a chronic drug addict spending over €100 a day on heroin and crack cocaine. He is unemployed. She said he had a quantity of prescription drugs but no prescription.

Garda Evanna Harty told of arresting Stefan O’Leary on the same occasion and said the pair tried to evade the gardaí.

Gda Harty added that the ensuing struggle continued on to the street. She said the pair met when they were buying drugs and Stefan O’Leary had taken tablets, heroin and possible crack cocaine.

Following objections by Sgt Brian Jacob, based on the risk of further offences being committed, Judge Desmond Zaidan denied them bail.

The judge stressed he was not trying the merits of the case and he remanded them in custody to April 4.

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