Armed man who told Cork gardaí he wanted to kill someone in the city pleads guilty to charges

Armed Support Unit assisted in arrest where three knives were recovered, court told

The man is accused of entering Bridewell garda station to say that he was going to stab someone on St Patrick’s St in Cork City. File picture: Denis Minihane

Medical evidence is to be given on the psychiatric background of a case where a 48-year-old man carrying three knives walked into the Bridewell garda station saying that he was going to stab someone on St Patrick’s St in Cork.

The accused man had no previous convictions of any kind before this unusual incident occurred. Now at Cork District Court, Finbarr O’Connell, of 11 Sunview, Fair Hill, Cork, has pleaded guilty to the charges against him.

Judge Catherine Ryan was given an account of the incident and she accepted jurisdiction to hear the case at the district court.

Frank Buttimer said: “There is a medical background. I need to produce some evidence of that, I need to get a medical report. There is a psychiatric element to this behaviour.” Judge Ryan adjourned sentencing in the case until February 9 with the accused remanded in custody until then.

Garda Wayne McGrath gave evidence when the matter first came before court when there was an objection to 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.

“It is alleged that at approximately 4.35am on December 15, 2025, 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 Patrick's St. 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.” 

At that original hearing Mr Buttimer solicitor said the defendant had no intention of harming anyone and that the only person who might have been harmed was himself. He described the defendant as 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.