A man in his 40s has been refused bail, having been charged with the attempted robbery of a bookmakers in Tralee on Saturday afternoon.
47-year-old John Paul Farrell, with an address at Muckross Road, Killarney, * appeared before Judge David Waters in Killarney District Court.
He faces a single charge from an incident on Saturday in Tralee town centre.
Mr Farrell is charged with attempted robbery, contrary to common law, at Boylesports on Edward Street in Tralee, at around 4:40pm.
This charge carries a maximum sentence of life in prison on conviction.
It’s alleged that he entered the bookmakers and immediately approached the till counter demanding money from employees.
Mr Farrell is alleged to have become aggressive and reached into his jacket to gesture that he had a weapon, meaning staff thought he was armed.
Gardaí allege that he also unsuccessfully attempted to jump over the counter top on numerous occasions.
The court heard he then left the scene empty handed, and did not produce a weapon throughout but staff members believed he was armed and feared for their own safety.
Mr Farrell’s solicitor Pádraig O’Connell applied for bail for his client, claiming that conditions would be appropriate, but the state objected.
Detective Garda Joe Ryan cited the nature and strength of the evidence against Mr Farrell, and that they would be concerned he would not turn up to court to face the charge against him.
He said gardaí believe John Paul Farrell would pose a risk to the public and community if granted bail.
Mr O’Connell offered conditions to bail including that his client would obey a curfew, sign on at a garda station, and live in Killarney.
Judge David Waters said he could not conceive of any conditions that would satisfy his concerns about the accused man, primarily because of his addiction issues.
Judge Waters also refused jurisdiction in the case, meaning it will go forward on indictment to a higher court.
He remanded Mr Farrell in custody to appear via video link to Tralee District Court on Wednesday.
* Mr Farrell's address was given in Killarney District Court on Monday, November 3rd, 2025 as an address in Tralee. At his court hearing on Wednesday, November 5th, his address was amended to Muckross Road, Killarney. Radio Kerry amended this news story on Wednesday, November 5th. *
