Allan Curtis Prior sentenced in Townsville District Court after holding terrified patrons, staff at Irish Finnegans in Kirwan

Petrol, a tomahawk and a knife were the weapons a man armed himself with before locking staff members and patrons inside a Townsville pub as he claimed “people are going to burn”.

Allan Curtis Prior sentenced in Townsville District Court after holding terrified patrons, staff at Irish Finnegans in Kirwan

A man wearing an orange high-vis work shirt entered a Townsville pub armed with weapons and threatened patrons and staff before holding them hostage for the afternoon, inflicting his reign of terror.

Allan Curtis Prior appeared in Townsville District Court this week and watched the CCTV that captured the shocking events – a look of sadness draped his face as he watched himself hold people hostage and as his lawyer claimed, for no plausible reason.

The 34-year-old was supported by his family in court, and they shouted words of ‘I love you’ and ‘you need a haircut’ as he entered the room.

Crown prosecutor Patrick Newman played the CCTV from Irish Finnegan’s on March 31, 2023.

The cameras depicted Prior entering the front of the pub at 5:30pm armed with a tomahawk, a knife and a jerry can of petrol before making his way to the Pokies room where an elderly woman and a middle-aged man were seen using the slots.

The male patron in the Pokies room fell to the ground when he attempted to run away from Prior who entered the gaming area.

While some of the patrons left the venue, staff members were made to sit behind the bar as Prior grabbed the shirt collar of a male employee and instructed him to lock the front door.

Patrons who had originally left the venue broke back in through the front door grabbing the male staff member and the jerry can of fuel that had been left sitting on a table and they fled for safety.

The court was told Prior told a woman “You’re going to die tonight” and said “People are going to burn”.

CCTV showed other patrons who had been locked inside the venue were attempting to open a door as police were on the other side.

Body worn camera footage was also played in court which depicted the moment authorities entered the building, surrounding the man and demanding he put down his weapons then tasering him after he refused to comply.

Prior collapsed to the ground where a senior constable attempted to pry the knife from the man’s hands and ended up suffering a cut to the back of his own hand.

“It would’ve been a terrifying ordeal for staff and patrons of Irish Finnegans that day,” the crown said.

Defence barrister Michael Hibble said Prior had no criminal history and there was no evidence he had been under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

“While it was scary, he was walking very calmly,” Mr Hibble said.

“Police are commended for not shooting him, he was armed with a weapon and he didn’t comply with their instructions.”

Mr Hibble said there was no motive behind the man’s actions that day.

“He has no history of mental health issues. His family said about 12 months before the offences he was run over by a car and they described a change in his attitude,” Mr Hibble said.

“He started isolating himself, I’ve spoken to him and he simply doesn’t know. Usually there’s a trigger, you would think he had an axe to grind but it’s entirely unclear.”

Mr Hibble suggested the man be sentenced to a very lengthy period of probation in order for the man to engage with mental health programs as required to help determine underlying issues and referred to the Bondi Junction event that saw six people die at the hands of a man with a knife.

“Given the recent events in New South Wales, the courts have to act protectively and protect the community,” he said.

Judge Gregory Lynham labelled the man’s hostage takeover of the pub as “illogical”.

“To describe your behaviour as irrational and bizarre is an understatement,” he said.

“Patrons are entitled to feel safe and you caused them panic and distress.

“The police may have had to resort to the use of fatal force, you are lucky they were able to subdue you without using more significant force.”

Prior pleaded guilty to deprivation of liberty, serious assault of police, going armed to cause fear, and entering a premises with intent to commit an indictable offence.

Judge Lynham sentenced the man to three years’ jail with an immediate parole release date as he declared the 384 days served in pre-sentence custody as time served.

“I do so only because you have spent 13 months in custody,” he said.

Originally published as Allan Curtis Prior sentenced in Townsville District Court after holding terrified patrons, staff at Irish Finnegans in Kirwan