Sebastian Switaj: Polish man unhappy with his food delivery brought petrol bombs to Fermoy, Co Cork takeaway Amigo’s

Fermoy District Court heard that Sebastian Switaj, 42, from Rathowen, Fermoy, Co. Cork, had ordered food from the Amigo takeaway in the city on August 6, 2023.

When Mr Switaj’s order arrived, he was not happy with it and became involved in a dispute with Amigos staff.

Sergeant Majella O’Sullivan told the court that Mr Switaj went to the takeaway with two glass containers and placed them on the counter.

The containers had lids with holes cut into them and cloth soaked in gasoline was stuffed into the holes.

During an argument with Mr Switaj, the takeaway staff threw the glass containers outside.

Mr Switaj, who is originally from Poland, was provided with a Polish interpreter in court.

Defense lawyer Ciaran O’Keeffe said Mr Switaj had suffered from heart problems and was on medication at the time of the incident.

He said his client previously worked in a food processing factory but had gone through a difficult period.

He added that Mr Switaj did not seem to fully understand that what he was doing was wrong.

The court was told that Mr Switaj had five previous convictions, including one for assault and one for obstruction, and had been given a suspended sentence for assault five months before the Amigos incident.

Judge Colm Roberts said: “It is clear he was trying to frighten and intimidate people in the takeaway.

‘I would be very concerned about his ability to regulate himself, especially his anger and his violent emotions.

“Honestly, I’m having a hard time finding a reason why I shouldn’t send him to jail.”

The judge adjourned the case until June 28 for the completion of a trial report.

He asked Mr O’Keeffe to explain to his client that if he came to the attention of gardaí in the meantime he would be sent to prison.