A convicted killer who began eating his own faeces after he was arrested for trying to attack an officer at a Dublin garda station will be sentenced in January.

Mark Bissett's "bizarre behaviour" happened when he turned violent during a drink and drug-fuelled outburst at Store Street Garda Station.

Judge Bryan Smyth adjourned sentencing at Dublin District Court to let him complete a residential drug rehabilitation programme.

Homeless

The court heard more evidence yesterday on other assault, public order and criminal damage offences committed by the then homeless Bissett between February and April.

Bissett (31), of Loughlinstown Park, Loughlinstown, was jailed for six years in 2005 for killing his uncle, David Sutherland, in December 2003.

Mr Sutherland (54), of Ballybrack, was beaten and kicked to death in a drunken row following an accusation by Bissett that he had killed his aunt.

His case at the district court resumed yesterday when Judge Smyth heard that highly intoxicated Bissett attacked a foreign shop worker at a Spar on South Richmond Street in Dublin.

He acted in a threatening manner and told the victim: "Why don't you go home, you f***ing P*** b******". Bissett punched the man in the head and stomach.

He was arrested after a row with a shop security guard on a date in February and on April 11 he broke a window at a garda station.

He was homeless, and because "he had nowhere to go" he wanted to be arrested.

Bissett has also pleaded guilty to breach of the peace, being intoxicated to such an extent that he was a danger to himself and others, criminal damage and violent behaviour at Store Street Garda station last March.

Gda James Seymour gave evidence earlier that Bissett, who has 47 prior criminal convictions, was acting aggressively at the front counter in the station.

Assault

The father-of-three tried to assault the sergeant in charge and struck Gda Seymour and his colleagues.

Bissett defecated in a cell and "consumed his own faeces", causing a health hazard and damage to cell walls which were covered with excrement.

Defence counsel Emmet Nolan said Bissett had been using hostels from the age of 15 and became addicted to benzodiazepine and alcohol.

However, he pointed out that he will be able to spend three months in a residential treatment centre for his addiction issues and will pay for the damage in the cell.

Online Editors