A man who allegedly threatened to kill his neighbours with an axe and burn down their homes has been released on bail.
Carl Ryan appeared at Letterkenny District Court following a disturbance at a housing estate in Buncrana on Sunday evening.
Detectives told the court how Ryan was arrested after complaints by neighbours that he was holding an axe and threatening to kill and burn them out.
Ryan, who appeared in court wearing a Dublin GAA jersey, denied all the claims against him.
Gardai were called to the Burwood housing estate in Buncrana at 7pm and the altercation had ended.
However, after speaking to at least three complainants, they then interviewed Mr Ryan who was then arrested.
An axe was recovered by Gardai at Mr Ryan’s home.
Gardai objected to bail saying they feared Ryan would intimidate witnesses in the case and said the accused had a history of bench warrants.
His solicitor, Mr Kieran Dillon, said his client was denying all allegations.
“He is denying all the allegations and will contest the charges.
“Something occurred on this night and things were brought to his door. I’m told that this was over an allegation that he verbally abused a man’s partner,” he said.
He added that his client is aged 49 years and is in poor health.
Judge Paul Kelly asked how close he lived to his neighbours who made the allegations against him and was told they lived across a common green area from the accused.
He agreed to release Ryan on bail but warned him not to interfere with his neighbours and specifically not to come within 50 metres of the home of one named neighbour.
He also ordered him to keep a nightly curfew and to sign on at Buncrana Garda station three times weekly.
He adjourned the case until July 12th.