Man walked into Cork garda station with knives saying he 'wanted to kill someone', court told

The Armed Support Unit was called and they managed to arrest him after finding he had three knives on him, the court heard

The accused is said to have walked into the Bridewell garda station saying that he was going to stab someone on St. Patrick’s Street in Cork City. File picture: Denis Minihane

Three knives were found on a 48-year-old man who was never in trouble in his life after he walked into the Bridewell garda station saying he was going to stab someone on St. Patrick’s Street in Cork, it was alleged in court.

These were the allegations outlined by Garda Wayne McGrath in the case against Finbarr O’Connell of 11 Sunview, Fair Hill, Cork, at Cork District Court who applied unsuccessfully for bail.

“Gardaí have serious concerns that the accused poses a threat to the personal safety of members of the community. He has stated that he wants to stab and harm people. And he has been found to be in possession of knives,” Garda McGrath said.

During his objection to bail, the garda said: “It is alleged that at approximately 4.35am on December 15, the accused entered the public office of the Bridewell Garda Station in possession of a knife which he was concealing up his right sleeve.

“Garda Alan McGuire who was station orderly spoke with him at the public office hatch where Finbarr O'Connell handed his mobile phone over to Garda McGuire and asked him to speak with the lady on the phone. 

"Garda McGuire spoke with a female who identified herself as member of staff from Pieta House. This female stated that she believed Finbarr O'Connell was in possession of a knife.

“The accused then placed the knife on the counter within his reach and then pulled a second knife out of the front pocket of his hoodie which he refused to hand over and placed back into the front pocket of his hoodie.

“Multiple directions were given to the accused to place any weapons he had on his person onto the ground. He failed to do so. Urgent assistance was sought from the Armed Support Unit to attend the public office of the Garda station.

“The accused repeatedly stated that he wanted to kill someone and he was intending on stabbing someone on St Patricks Street. Armed Support Unit officers arrived and directed the accused to show them his hands and to put down the knife. 

"He pulled the knife out of his hoodie again. The accused was disarmed and handcuffed. When searched he was found in possession of a third knife which was concealed in his sock.” 

'Quiet and vulnerable'

Judge Dorgan adjourned the case to a remand court during the Christmas holiday period scheduled for December 29 when the defendant will appear by video link from prison.

The defendant, who was represented by solicitor Frank Buttimer, said he had no intention of harming anyone and that the only person who might have been harmed was himself.

The judge was told that the defendant is a quiet and vulnerable person who had no intention of harming anyone. His mother was called as a witness during his bail application to confirm that he had never been in any kind of trouble and is a gentle person.