Townsville man allegedly armed with axe, petrol and knife tried to take hostages

Police allege a man armed with an axe, petrol tin and a knife tried to take hostages in a Townsville pub.

Irish Finnegans in Condon, Townsville.

A man allegedly armed with an axe, a petrol tin and a knife tried to take hostages in a Townsville pub on Friday, according to police.

Police said the incident happened at Irish Finnegan’s in Condon, about 5.30pm.

A 35-year-old Townsville man appeared in court on Saturday morning and was remanded in custody, expected to appear again on Monday.

The man has been charged with two charges of serious assault on police, deprivation of liberty, going armed to cause fear, and enter premises with intent to commit and indictable offence.

Senior sergeant Scot Warrick said the male entered the premises armed with an axe, a knife and a can of petrol.

Irish Finnegans in Condon, Townsville.

“He tried to lock himself inside with some staff members,” the senior sergeant said.

A staff member was assaulted and threatened with the knife, and patrons were threatened, Senior Sergeant Warrick said.

When police smashed their way through glass to get inside, the man still had the knife and axe so police drew their firearms, the senior sergeant said.

The man was tasered and during the arrest a police officer suffered a minor wound to the hand from a “bladed weapon”, Sen Sgt Warrick said.

There was nothing known about the man’s motivations or mindset, according to the senior sergeant.

A manager at the venue said the only comment he could make was that no staff or patrons were injured.

“Police have received the footage,” he said.

Originally published as Townsville man allegedly armed with axe, petrol and knife tried to take hostages