A Co Antrim man has admitted three charges arising from a hostage situation at a hotel in the centre of Belfast.
Ryan John McElkerney, from Serpentine Gardens in Newtownabbey, appeared at Belfast Crown Court on Monday where he was charged with offences linked to last May’s incident at the Clayton Hotel.
After confirming his identity, McElkerney was charged with possessing an imitation firearm - namely “a wrench disguised with clothing and described as a revolver with eight bullets” - with intent to cause fear of violence on May 7 2023.
When asked how he pleaded, the 32-year old replied “guilty”.
McElkerney was also charged that on the same date he falsely imprisoned a male and assaulted a second male.
The defendant entered guilty pleas to both charges.
Following this, a Crown barrister told Judge Philip Gilpin that a fourth count of damaging property belonging to the Clayton Hotel was being “left on the books” and was not being proceeded with.
Although no details of the incident emerged during the arraignment, a previous court heard police were called to the Ormeau Avenue hotel following reports that a man armed with a suspected gun was holding a male hostage.
The PSNI responded and McElkerney was arrested at the scene.
Defence barrister Joel Lindsay told Judge Philip Gilpin that he was seeking a pre-sentence report on his client.
McElkerney was then addressed by Judge Gilpin who told him “the Probation Board will want to talk to you in order that a report can be prepared in relation to your circumstances”.
Before McElkerney was remanded back into custody, he was also told by Judge Gilpin that he would be back before the court on November 8 for sentencing.