Man threatened to burn down mother’s Dublin house and murder his sister, court told

Gerard Gray (41) is accused of saying “none of you are getting out of here alive” and trying to grab a knife from a kitchen drawer.

He was sent forward for trial charged with burglary, threatening to kill or cause serious harm to one of his sisters, and threatening to cause criminal damage to the house. Mr Gray denies the allegations.

Judge Bryan Smyth granted him bail when a book of evidence was served on him at Dublin District Court. He sent him forward to Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Objecting to bail, Garda Robert Diffley said he was called to Hamptonwood Court, Finglas on July 8, 2023.

The accused’s mother, who was extremely distressed, said she had been at home with two of her children when the door swung open and the accused entered the room in a rage.

He threatened that he was “there to murder them” and made his way to a kitchen drawer where he attempted to grab a knife, it was alleged.

According to the complaint, he got hold of a butter knife but dropped it on the floor in a scuffle. He threw a punch at his sister before closing the door, trapping them, stating “none of you are going to get out of here alive,” and threatening to burn the house down, it was alleged.

According to the prosecution, he also stated he would slit his sister’s throat if she did not give him €100 and he would “come back to burn the house down and kill the dog.”

Gda Diffley said the alleged victims were “extremely concerned for their safety” if the accused was granted bail.

Defence solicitor Michael Kelleher said Mr Gray had a different version of what happened on the night.

“These are serious matters he intends to contest,” Mr Kelleher said.

Judge Smyth granted bail on condition the accused keeps a curfew, stays out of the Hamptonwood area and has no contact with the alleged victims.