Man smashes bottles from Tesco booze aisle after being asked to wear a mask in the Drogheda store

A man in Ireland smashed up dozens of bottles on a Tesco alcohol aisle after he was asked to wear a coronavirus mask as the country entered a new six-week lockdown.

Footage shot yesterday shows the man vandalising the supermarket on West Street in Drogheda, on the east coast of the Republic of Ireland. 

The suspect Graham McCormack, 33, from Preston Park, Julianstown, County Meath, appeared before Judge Eirinn McKiernan charged with causing criminal damage to assorted bottles of whiskey and wine later that day.

He told Drogheda district court he would not agree to a bail condition to stay away from all Tesco outlets in the country and remain sober.

Graham McCormack, 33, from Preston Park, Julianstown, County Meath, appeared in court after the man was filmed smashing bottles in a Tesco alcohol aisle in Drogheda, Ireland

Shocking footage shows the enraged man throwing bottles from the shelves after he was asked to wear a coronavirus face mask as the country enters a six-week lockdown

In the video, the young man dressed in a black hooded jacket and grey sweatpants and facing away from the crowd, casually chucks a bottle of wine over his shoulder.

It smashes on the floor, which is covered by at least a dozen other broken bottles of alcohol.

He turns around and smashes another bottle more forcefully while staring directly at the crowd.

Mr McCormack continues throwing bottles two at a time, before a man tells him to stop and he begins walking towards the crowd, still sweeping bottles from the shelves.

McCormack turns around and smashes another bottle more forcefully while staring directly at the crowd

Martin Quinn, who took the video, said: ‘A very sad day watching all the whiskey and wine gone to waste.’

Tesco said: ‘We confirm there was an incident in our Drogheda West Street store on Wednesday.

‘The store is operating as normal following the incident. 

‘An investigation by An Garda Síochána is now underway and we apologise to any customers who were in the store when this happened.’ 

Mr McCormack made no reply when the criminal charge was put to him after caution yesterday.

Mr McCormack continues throwing bottles two at a time, before a man tells him to stop and he begins walking towards the crowd, still sweeping bottles from the shelves

The incident happened in Tesco Metro on West Street, Drogheda (pictured). Tesco said yesterday: ‘The store is operating as normal following the incident’

He said he did not consent to his conditions for bail, including staying away Tesco outlets nationwide and away from all Tesco staff and management.

Mr McCormack was initially remanded in custody with consent to bail to February 5, subject to the conditions outlined, but he said ‘I’m not taking the bond’, reported LMFM, adding he would go back to the store.

He said: ‘I’m still angry – about what I’m going to do to myself and to others.’

Mr McCormack was remanded into custody with consent to bail to appear on Friday via video-link before Drogheda district court.

He was also directed to get a psychiatric evaluation by Judge Eirinn McKiernan.