A 40-year-old man was today charged with false imprisonment of another male amid claims by gardaí of his involvement in a feud on the northside of Cork city.
Philip Murphy of 58 Killala Gardens in Knocknaheeny, Cork city was charged with the false imprisonment of a man on the 13th of May last.
At a special sitting of Cork District Court this afternoon Garda Matthew Walsh gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution. He said Mr Murphy made no reply after he was charged in relation to the offence.
Garda Walsh objected to the granting of bail in the case telling Judge Brian Sheridan that he was concerned Mr Murphy would interfere with witnesses in the case.
Garda Walsh described the charge as a "serious offence" and said Mr Murphy was a leader of a gang involved in a feud with another group.
The court heard Mr Murphy resides close to the injured party in the case. Garda Walsh said Mr Murphy was involved in a major feud in the city and the charge related to an incident in Harbour View Road in Cork city. Two men died in a road crash in Harbour View Road in Knocknaheeny on Friday.
Garda Walsh said tensions were "very high" in Knocknaheeny and that following risk analysis additional resources are patrolling the area. Judge Brian Sheridan was told Mr Murphy presented a flight risk as he has previously had three bench warrants served on him.
Mr Joe Cuddigan, solicitor, representing Mr Murphy, said the bench warrants related to a cluster period in 2005.
He said his client was willing to obey any curfews imposed on him. Mr Murphy stated in evidence he had no difficulty in surrendering his passport if required to do so by order of the courts.
Philip Murphy vehemently denied suggestions by gardaí that he is a member of a gang. He insisted he wasn't a member of any "organised criminal gang" and refuted claims he would interfere with witnesses in the case. He admitted he was a heroin user but said he was "after coming down off a lot of it."
After a period of consideration Judge Brian Sheridan refused bail in the case. Philip Murphy was remanded in custody.
Free legal aid was assigned because Mr Murphy is currently in receipt of disability benefit. He will appear before Cork District Court again on Tuesday.