A GERMAN asked if he had to go to jail last night when he appeared at Monaghan District Court on three charges of grievous bodily harm and one firearms charge.
Mr Dan Gerrit Joachim Isenborger was remanded in custody to Mountjoy Prison in Dublin with bail set at £10,000.
Mr Isenborger appeared in court at 9 p.m.
Insp Patrick Hogan gave evidence that at 10.35 a.m. yesterday he had arrested the accused at Ballyleenan, Bawnboy, Co Cavan, under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act on suspicion of having unlawful possession of firearms.
"He made no reply to that," the Inspector said. He added that at Ballyconnell Garda station at 4.10 p.m. the Director of Public Prosecutions had decided that gardai proceed with the charges.
Mr Isenborger was charged with unlawful possession of a British Lee Enfield .303 rifle with intent to endanger life and cause serious injury.
He was further charged on three counts of grievous bodily harm in that he had discharged a loaded firearm with intent to maim or disfigure Mr Paul Comiskey, Mr Christopher Raythorn and Mr Thomas Owens, on January 15th last, contrary to Section 18 of the Offences Against the Persons Act.
On hearing the charges, Mr Isenborger said: "I didn't intend to maim or disfigure or disable anybody. I wanted to frighten them."
Judge Donal McArdle asked Mr Isenborger if he had a solicitor and he replied "No." Asked what were his means, he said: "I am on the dole - £64.50 I get."
Supt P.J. Browne asked the court to remand the accused in custody to Cavan District Court on Thursday, January 23rd.
Asked by the judge why he sought custody, Supt Browne said he believed Mr Isenborger would otherwise leave the jurisdiction or interfere with witnesses.
Mr Isenborger then said he wanted to look after his mother's funeral.
He said his sister was flying to Ireland and added: "I promise I won't run." The judge said he would agree to independent bail of £250 with two independent sureties of £5,000 each, or a cash lodgement of £10,000.
"Will I be put in jail now?" Mr Isenborger said. "No, you won't be put in jail as such, said the judge. "If you can get bail you can get freedom straight away.
"But I don't know anybody who would have that sort of money," said Mr Isenborger.
He said he was concerned about his mother's funeral. "She is supposed to be cremated and have her ashes scattered in Sligo," he said.
Supt Browne said it would be some days before the body could be released for cremation as it had to be examined by the State Pathologist. He said he would have no problem with his officers accompanying the defendant to the cremation.
"Do I have to go to jail?" Mr Isenborger asked. The judge said the charges were very serious. "Her death was serious," Mr Isenborger said.
The judge advised him to seek the assistance of a solicitor.
Supt Browne said that the German embassy had also offered to assist.