Man accused of threatening hitch-hiker on busy Clare road faces new 'petrol bomb' charge

A man who is accused of threatening a hitch-hiker that he would set him alight if he did not pay money for his lift is facing an additional charge of producing a ‘petrol bomb’.

At Ennis District Court, the Book of Evidence was served on Brian Joyce, aged 30, of St Enda's, Beechpark, Ennis  concerning an incident that occurred on August 13, last.

The Book of Evidence contains the additional charge and after reading details of the new charge Judge Alec Gabbett commented “this is a petrol bomb charge”.

Mr Joyce is now charged with "producing a Powerade bottle filled with petrol" while committing an alleged offence of threatening to kill a named individual at Monreel South, Ennistymon. The new charge is contrary to Section 11 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act.

Garda Amy O'Connor told the court that Mr Joyce made no reply after charge and caution.

READ ALSO: PICTURES: Clare's new Garda Tractor on its first week in the Banner County

After the Book of Evidence was served, Judge Alec Gabbett sent Mr Joyce forward to Ennis Circuit Court for trial at the next sessions which are due to sit early next year.

Mr Joyce has remained on remand in custody at Limerick prison since August after failing to secure bail at a contested bail hearing arising from the incident.

At the bail hearing, Garda O’Connor said that when Mr Joyce made the alleged ‘light you up’ threat, his pregnant partner was driving and their two young children aged 7 and 9 were back seat passengers along with two puppy dogs.

Garda O’Connor said Mr Hourihan was hitch-hiking to Lahinch out of Ennis at around 5.30pm on August 13 when he was picked up.

She said that the complainant got into the back seat and that the front seat passenger, Brian Joyce “got very aggressive during the journey towards the alleged injured party and said he wanted money for giving him a lift”.

Garda O’Connor said that it will be alleged that after the complainant refused this, “Mr Joyce pulled out a Powerade bottle full of petrol and threatened that he would set him alight if he did not pay them money”.

Garda O’Connor said the alleged injured party managed to snatch the bottle from Brian Joyce and demanded that the car be stopped. 

Garda O'Connor said the car was stopped and that the alleged injured party got out before the silver Golf drove off. The court was told that these are only allegations against Mr Joyce who is entitled to the presumption of innocence.

In the case, Mr Joyce is also charged with threatening to kill or cause serious harm to the alleged injured party, between Lahinch Road, Ennis and Monreel South, Ennistymon on the N85 on August 13, 2024.