Ryan John Guilfoyle: Man under investigation for Denmark bushfire has bail denied over alleged police assault

A Great Southern man who is under investigation for a Denmark bushfire has been denied bail for a string of “concerning” offences, including allegedly threatening police officers and their families in March. Ryan John Guilfoyle, 36, appeared via video link from Albany Regional Prison in Albany Magistrates Court on Thursday to make a bail application. He has been charged with trespassing, disorderly behaviour, criminal damage, making a threat and assault public officer. Mr Guilfoyle allegedly drove a 4WD under a house in Hay, near Denmark, causing $5000 damage on March 27. Sgt Hartfield said Mr Guilfoyle was also being investigated for a bush fire that took “considerable resources” to extinguish. He said Mr Guilfoyle’s “erratic behaviour” included a string of threats to police officers, their partners and their children. Mr Guilfoyle allegedly told an officer he would “shove s*** down your neck and beat your face to a f****** pole”. Sgt Hartfield said he did not “feel comfortable” reading more of the alleged threats out loud and gave a written copy to the magistrate instead. Mr Guilfoyle is also accused of luring an officer into a cell where he was remanded and punching him in the head. Represented by defence lawyer Wendy Stewart, Mr Guilfoyle applied for bail and requested the charges be moved to Northam. Police prosecutor Sgt Matt Hartfield said police did not oppose bail but had serious concerns for public safety, particularly police officers and their families, which would be alleviated by Mr Guilfoyle moving out of the Great Southern. Ms Stewart said Mr Guilfoyle was a father of three on a disability pension who described himself as an investigative journalist who has spoken at NAIDOC Week. She said Mr Guilfoyle would move to Grass Valley near Northam and comply with any bail conditions. Magistrate Erin O’Donnell refused bail on the basis of the “concerning set of facts” relating to the alleged offence and Mr Guilfoyle’s “extremely unpredictable and volatile behaviour”. Mr Guilfoyle will next appear in Albany Magistrates Court on May 9.