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Former Limerick Footballer Speaks In Favour Of Sixmilebridge Stand-Off Accused

Retired Limerick inter-county football star, John Galvin told a court yesterday that a man charged with the false imprisonment of three Clare people earlier this month “is the nicest man you could ever meet”.

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At Ennis District Court yesterday, John Galvin said that Tom Howard (50) “wouldn’t do any harm to anyone”.

Mr Howard is employed on the Galvin farm in west Limerick and Mr Galvin yesterday confirmed that the Galvin family has continued to pay Mr Howard since he was remanded in custody on July 4th last.

Widely regarded as Limerick's best ever footballer, Mr Galvin confirmed to the court that he would provide an independent surety to the court if Mr Howard was to get bail.

Judge Patrick Durcan yesterday told the court any independent surety would have to be five figures.

In the case, Mr Howard of Gortnaminch, Listowel, Co Kerry faces charges in connection with a a two and a half-hour stand-off where he is alleged to have falsely imprisoned a father, daughter and her boyfriend at Donnybrook Cottage, Sixmilebridge on July 2nd last.

Mr Howard is charged with falsely imprisoning 70-year old gardener, Tadgh Corbett, his 27 year old daughter, Elaine Corbett and her 29 year old boyfriend, Declan Finn contrary to Section 15 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997.

Mr Howard is also charged with having a shot-gun in his possession with intent to cause an indictable offence – robbery – contrary to Section 27B of the Firearms Act 1964.

During the stand-off, the shot-gun was discharged but no one sustained any gunshot injuries.

In the witness box yesterday, Mr Galvin said: “Tom would be a friend of mine and a super worker.”

Mr Galvin said that everyone was in complete shock after hearing the story in connection with Mr Howard’s arrest.

He said: “Anyone who has heard the story – it is completely out of character for him. If he got bail, he would be back working straightaway for us.”

Mr Galvin said that Mr Howard had mental problems over the last few months and he had a small bit of depression.

He said: “I know this was due to financial worries and on the grand scale of things weren’t that big, but in his own head, they were large in what they were."

Mr Galvin confirmed that Mr Howard’s financial worries have been sorted now and he is now debt free.

Confirming that the Galvin family has continued to pay Mr Howard while in jail, Mr Galvin said: “If he gets out tomorrow, he has wages for the past couple of weeks.”

Mr Galvin described the incident as “a freak episode…it was just a mental breakdown”.

He said: “Tom has massive support outside the court, everyone is there to support him. Everyone has heard the story, everyone is shocked by it and everyone wants to see Tom back. Personally, I don’t think jail is the place for him.

In the witness box, Mr Howard said of the incident: “I am deeply ashamed of what I did and I apologise to everyone concerned…I wasn’t thinking straight at the time.”

Judge Durcan said that he wasn’t willing to grant bail at this time without a psychiatric assessment of Mr Howard and further remanded him in custody to Ennis District Court on July 28th next to allow the assessment take place.

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