A man brandishing a knife confronted a Ukrainian couple and their young child while "screaming at them to move out" of their new home in Dublin, a court has heard.
Richard Bohan, 34, of Pimlico Cottages, Pimlico, D.8, pleaded guilty to producing a knife with a three-inch blade capable of inflicting serious injury in a manner likely to intimidate another person on February 19 last in south Dublin.
Cloverhill District Court heard that Bohan observed the family, threw a bucket at them and was "screaming at them to move out".
Judge Alan Mitchell was told that during the incident, Bohan "produced a knife and started to wield that in front of the family".
However, a member of the public distracted him with a sweeping brush, which allowed the couple and their daughter, aged 8, to "retreat into the house".
Gardai arrived and arrested Bohan under the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act.
Victim impact statements were furnished to Judge Mitchell, who noted the child suffered panic attacks since the incident, but her parents cannot afford psychotherapy.
The judge noted the evidence that Bohan "screamed at them to move out". He remarked that they probably fled to Ireland because of the war in their country, and the victim was a young person who was now suffering.
In his Garda interview, Bohan made "certain admissions". However, he spoke up during the hearing to deny telling them to move out.
The court heard the claim was contained in the statement from the child's father, which had been furnished to the defence.
Said Judge Mitchell: "What is presented potentially moves it into a serious enough situation, people from another country, in this case, Ukrainian, move into a premises and the defendant had an issue with it, produces a knife and asks them to leave. He is disputing that. If we consider the entire context, that is aggravating."
Following a recess and a further legal consultation, defence solicitor Matthew de Courcy told Judge Mitchell his client accepted the full facts as outlined.
The court heard Bohan had no previous convictions or warrant record and has been in custody on remand since the incident.
Family members of the accused were present for the hearing.
Pleading for leniency, Mr de Courcy said his client suffered from psychiatric difficulties, and there was a report outlining that he had a borderline personality disorder and autism.
He said Bohan had "a myriad of problems; his memory of the incident is hazy, to say the least".
The defence acknowledged that the presence of a young child at the scene made the incident "particularly unsavoury".
However, the solicitor submitted that there were no racial undertones.
Judge Mitchell adjourned sentencing for a probation report on Bohan to be furnished to the court.
He said he would consider all options and that a suspended sentence would have to include a condition that the offender stay away from individuals or locations.
The court heard the accused may have to move from his council home but will only be provided an alternative once he forfeits his current address. The case resumes later this month.
