A Westmeath man has been charged with threatening to rape and kill the sister of Limerick gangland victim, Roy Collins.
Stephen Reilly (21 ) of 4 Elmworth Court, Belhavel, Athlone was refused bail at Mullingar District Court where he appeared yesterday, Thursday April 15.
Detective Tom Higgins gave the facts of the offence which is alleged to have taken place on Monday April 12 in Athlone where Reilly is alleged to have told Leanne Collins, a student in the town, that he would rape her, slit her throat, and shoot her.
He is alleged to have said he would “get good money from Wayne Dundon” for doing it, that he would “get her sorted” and have her flat wrecked.
The threats are alleged to have been made in a phone call to Ms Collins at her apartment following an incident earlier in the day after which Reilly was charged with theft.
Judge David Anderson heard how Ms Collins and her boyfriend had been walking in Beech Park, Athlone when Mr Reilly who was the back seat passenger in a car which pulled up beside the couple, jumped out allegedly wielding a hammer, and told them they were “f***ing dead”.
He then chased Ms Collins' boyfriend and took a bag which he dropped containing a new pair of Nike runners, t-shirt, and a pair of shorts valued at a total of €180.
He then pointed at Ms Collins and warned her not to phone Gardai.
The threatening phonecall came to Ms Collins later when Reilly warned her again not to contact the Gardai and told her he was going to kill her.
Detective Higgins told the court that Ms Collins is the sister of the late Roy Collins and is the daughter of Steve Collins. She is from Limerick but is studying in Athlone where she now lives.
Reilly, who has a long-term partner and a two-year-old daughter, had been known to Ms Collins since February but they have not been in regular contact for almost a month.
Detective Higgins said he believed Ms Collins was in fear for her life and safety.
Reilly was remanded in custody to appear at Cloverhill District Court on April 22. Ms Collins was not in court.
