A man who threatened to burn down a garda's home and set fire to his car as he swung a baseball bat has been sentenced to four years in prison.
David Reddin (28), of Belclare Avenue, Ballymun, was found guilty by a jury at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court earlier this year of two counts of threatening to damage property and one count of production of an article with intent to intimidate.
Garda Stephen Boyce told Judge O'Donnell that two male gardai from Ballymun Garda Station went to the defendant's home on December 12th, 2003 and asked to see his driving licence.
Reddin, who has 22 previous convictions, opened the door swinging a baseball bat. He told one garda he would burn down his house and set his car alight.
Judge Frank O'Donnell said the defendant "almost went berserk" at a simple request. He said gardai have enough difficulty without having to deal with such behaviour. He described the five-day trial has having been "hard fought".
He said an accused has a right to defend themselves but when they commit perjury the court must take that into consideration.
Judge O'Donnell imposed four years on each count of threatening to damage property and two years for production of the bat. All sentences are concurrent and the final year will be suspended.