A 39-year-old man has claimed he only spat at a Garda in Co Louth because he had been pepper sprayed.

David Kennedy of Moneymore, Drogheda has appeared in court charged with spitting at a Garda and obstructing a Garda during the course of their duties.

Armed Gardaí were arresting a man believed to be in possession of a knife in Drogheda on Wednesday afternoon.

Mr Kennedy tried to interfere with the arrest, and allegedly spat at a Garda.

The accused did not reference the coronavirus during the incident.

He was arrested and charged under the Public Order Act and brought before Dundalk District Court on Thursday morning.

Mr Kennedy told the court that he saw Gardaí trying to make an arrest and urged them to leave the man alone.

He claims a gun was pointed at him, and admits he got "boisterous" before he was pepper sprayed in the face.

The accused said the only reason he spat was because the spray got into his mouth, and he could not see where he was spitting because he could not open his eyes.

He claims he was not thinking about the current COVID-19 outbreak when he spat.

An acquaintance of the accused was removed from the courtroom after he was found to be filming.

Judge Eirinn McKiernan refused bail, stating that because of the current pandemic she considers it to be an extremely serious offence.

Mr Kennedy is due to appear again via video link at Cloverhill District Court next Tuesday.

Reporting by Kacey O'Rioirdan