AN unemployed teenager charged with carrying a sword as he made his way through the front yard of Leinster House had no 'particular target in mind,' a court has heard.

Jordan Buckley (19) was granted bail after he was arrested and charged with possession of a sword as a weapon in an incident outside the houses of the Oireachtas yesterday afternoon.

Dublin District Court heard it was alleged he was 'caught redhanded.'

The case against him was adjourned at Dublin District Court for the directions of the DPP and he was remanded in custody until he is able to take up bail.

As part of his bail conditions, Judge Michael Walsh ordered him to stay away from all Government buildings and departments - except the Department of Social Protection.

Mr Buckley, with an address at Kells Road, Crumlin is charged with possession of a sword at Leinster House on April 29.

The charge is under Section 9 (1) of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act and he has not yet indicated how he intends to plead.

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When the case was called, the accused, bearing several tattoos and wearing a green vest top and blue jeans, spoke to confirm the name of his solicitor, Paul Hannon.

Garda Dwayne Conlon told the court he arrested the defendant at Leinster House yesterday at 4.39pm. He was brought to Pearse Street Garda Station, where he was detained under the provisions of Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act.

This period of detention was extended for six hours and he was charged at midnight. He made no reply after caution and was handed a copy of the charge sheet.

Mr Hannon said he was making an application for bail.

Objecting to bail, Garda Conlon cited the nature and seriousness of the charge, which carried a maximum five years' imprisonment on conviction. He alleged that the accused was 'caught red-handed'.

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He said Mr Buckley was inside the entrance gates in the yard at Kildare Street when he was arrested. There was CCTV evidence and several eyewitnesses, the garda said.

Questioned by Mr Hannon, Garda Conlon agreed that the accused had been co-operative after his arrest and had no drug issues.

'It would be fair to say there wasn't any particular target he had in mind?' Mr Hannon asked, to which the garda replied: 'not one person.'

Garda Conlon agreed that he would not be particularly apprehensive of the accused offending if granted bail.

The court heard the defendant had been a full-time student but was now unemployed and was living with his mother and stepfather, who were in court to support him.

Judge Walsh set bail in Mr Buckley's own bond of €750, with a €250 cash lodgement required.

Conditions are that he signs on three times per week at Sundrive Road Garda Station, resides at his grandfather's address in Kimmage and stays away from all Goverment buildings and departments 'save for social welfare.'

He was remanded in custody with consent to bail, to appear in court again on May 7.

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