Accused swung steak knife and repeated 'I will behead you' to man in Garda station 

DPP directions to be sought as man remanded in custody until next week

Gardaí objected to bail last week over concerns the accused would be a danger to the public. File picture

DPP directions are to be sought in relation to young man attending a Garda station who allegedly threatened to behead another man who was present in the public office.

Emmanuel Ibrahim appeared at Cork District Court by video link from prison on Wednesday.

His solicitor Diarmuid Kelleher asked him if he was getting medical attention in prison, and the defendant replied that he was. 

On the application of Sergeant John Dineen, Judge John King remanded the accused in custody until February 18 to allow time for directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Last week, Sergeant Brennan objected to bail being granted to Emmanuel Ibrahim, of Ashbrook Heights, Lehenaghmore, Togther, Cork, on the basis of Garda concerns that the accused would be a danger to the public.

“It is alleged that on Tuesday, January 27, Emmanuel Ibrahim attended at Togher Garda Station to sign on. While waiting, he stood up and removed a silver steak knife from his sock and placed it into his waistband.

“It will be alleged that Emmanuel Ibrahim then removed a larger black knife from his waistband and began swinging it in the air. There was a member of the public awaiting service at the hatch.

"Emmanuel had the large kitchen knife in his right hand when he began to sneak up on the unsuspecting member of the public.

“As Emmanuel reached the member of the public, it appears he observed a garda on the other side of the hatch and immediately placed the knife into his waistband and retreated from the male.

“The member of the public told gardaí that Emmanuel Ibrahim had been repeating 'I will behead you', while he was sitting on the bench. The member of the public tried not to make eye contact or engage with the suspect in any way.

“Gardaí tackled the suspect and retrieved the knife from the leg of his trousers. A second knife was located in his underwear during a search in the cell. The incident in its entirety is captured on clear CCTV,” Sgt Brennan said.

The defendant said: “I swung a knife at someone in the Garda station.”

Asked if he knew why he did that, he replied: “No”.

He said he had been diagnosed with schizophrenia.