Laois judge told man believes there is a ‘fatwa’ against him

Immediate psychiatric attention was requested for a man who told his solicitor that there was a ‘fatwa’ against him. 

John Dervin (44) of No Fixed Abode, Tullamore, is accused of being intoxicated and engaging in threatening and abusive behaviour at Supermacs, JFL Avenue, Portlaoise on December 5 last and being intoxicated and engaging in threatening and abusive behaviour at the Emergency Department in Portlaoise Hospital on December 8 last. 

Judge Susan Fay noted that the man had previously agreed to be remanded in custody in order that he could receive treatment and link up with Acquired Brain Injury Ireland.

Solicitor Brian Duffy expressed concern about the defendant. He said the man had informed him that “there was a fatwa on him” and he told Judge Fay that the last time he had heard the term was in connection with the author Salman Rushdie. 

Judge Fay said she would order immediate psychiatric attention and she remanded the defendant in custody to appear again at Portlaoise District Court on February 9, 2026.