Man caught with 'apple-paring' knife spared jail on condition he leaves country

A Romanian man caught in possession of a knife claimed he only had it for paring apples and today he was given a one-month jail term - suspended on condition that he would leave the country.

Valentin Lostun, 47, of an apartment at 52 Lower Glanmire Road, Cork, pleaded guilty to three charges when he appeared at Cork District Court. Those charges were of shoplifting on one occasion; begging on another; and carrying a knife, contrary to the Offensive Weapons Act.