By Andrew Carey
A MAN who was arrested after an eight hour garda stand-off which saw a large part of Limerick city cordoned off, has had the charges against him withdrawn by the State.
38-year-old Robert Browne barricaded himself into an apartment on John Street and was arrested by Gardai when the siege ended shortly before midnight on March 22 last.
He was later charged at a special sitting of Limerick District Court where defence solicitor John Devane indicated that the case was “effectively a housing matter”.
The father-of-two was charged with producing a knife in the course of a dispute at 34 John Street, Limerick and with entering the apartment as a trespasser.
It emerged that Mr Browne had earlier left the building as a tenant but arranged to return the next day to collect some of his personal belongings. He locked the door and remained inside after becoming involved in a dispute.
When the case was called at Limerick District Court last week, Judge Eugene O’Kelly was told that the State wished to withdraw the charges and sought to have the case struck out.
The case was dismissed and Mr Browne was released from his bail.
