A MAN has been found guilty of having a samurai sword with a one-metre blade and using it to obstruct a firefighter who was tackling a car fire in Dundalk.
As he was led into custody after the verdict, Padraig McArdle (24), from Barton Park, Dundalk, spat at the investigating garda and called him "a scumbag".
Judge Michael O'Shea said he would pass sentence on McArdle at the first sitting of the court next year.
McArdle was also convicted of damaging another car and damaging the front door and window of the house of its owner, Teresa O'Hare.
He was also convicted of assault causing harm to her son Barry. He was convicted of assaulting other local residents Carol McKeown and Darren Murphy.
McArdle was convicted of seven charges related to incidents in Marian Park, Dundalk, a short distance from where he lived. All took place on December 14th last year.
Dundalk Circuit Court heard how Carol McKeown and her family awoke to find their car on fire in their driveway.
When the McKeowns went outside there was a crowd of people, including McArdle, and the fire service arrived at the scene.
The judge directed that McArdle be found not guilty in relation to obstructing two firemen but the charge relating to a third fireman, Seán Leyden, remained and he was convicted of obstructing him.
Mr Leyden described how he was fighting the fire when he heard his colleague shouting, and "as I turned around I saw someone approaching me with a samurai sword". Mr Leyden turned the hose on the man.
"But he got back up again - I couldn't believe it."
McArdle again went towards Mr Leyden and another firefighter, and the hose was again turned on him and he stumbled back.
The black-handled sword which has a metal blade one metre in length was found in the garden of one of the houses. It was badly damaged and nearly bent in two.
The trial also heard of an altercation at the scene where it is alleged another local man struck McArdle on the head a number of times with an iron bar.