Gardaí were threatened that their throats would be slit by a man who claimed to have IRA connections and warned that he would place gas canisters under a patrol car writes Liam Heylin.

Those were among the threats outlined by Inspector Ronan Kennelly at Cork District Court in the case against Wesley Varian of 16 Sycamore Place, Togher.

Varian pleaded guilty to being threatening and abusive and being drunk and a source of danger on the occasion last week on the night of April 30 at Hyde Park, Tory Top Road.

Inspector Kennelly said gardaí were dealing with an incident when Varian intervened.

He was advised to leave the area, but he became more threatening and abusive, telling gardaí he had connections with a subversive organisation.

“He said he would put gas canisters under the patrol car,” Insp. Kennelly said.

Other threats made by Varian, aged 38, included: “I’ll kill your families.” “I’ll execute them.” “I’ll slit your throats.” “I know the IRA. I’ll find out where you live.”

Defence solicitor, Emmet Boyle, said: “All he can do is apologise to the officers. Mr Varian has not come to the notice of gardaí except for Road Traffic Act offences. Generally speaking he has been minding his own business.

“He is truly sorry for what he put the guards through on the evening on this particular occasion. He had been waking a friend who passed away in tragic and unforeseen circumstances.

“He has no recollection of the incident. He accepts he was very much out of order. He does not dispute anything they say. His apology is sincere.”

Judge Leo Malone said: “Gardai are the bulwark of society against people who don’t recognise the State.” Mr Boyle said that if Mr Varian had any troubles he would be ringing the gardaí himself for assistance.

Judge Malone imposed a two-month suspended jail sentence on the threatening charge and fined him €350 for being drunk and a source of danger.