'Dangerous' man expected to plead guilty to carrying large serrated knife in Cork city centre

The accused man has previously told the court: 'I don’t think I should be in society..' I am seeing things everywhere constantly.'

Charged as Niall O’Brien and stating that his correct name is Cornelius O’Brien, he appeared at Cork District Court by video link from prison. File picture: Larry Cummins

A plea of guilty will be entered as soon as possible by a 55-year-old man accused of carrying a long serrated knife in Cork city centre who described himself as a dangerous man who should not be on the streets.

Charged as Niall O’Brien and stating that his correct name is Cornelius O’Brien, he appeared at Cork District Court by video link from prison.

On the application of Sergeant John Dineen, Judge Mary Dorgan adjourned the case until April 28 with the accused remanded in custody until then. Sgt Dineen said directions had to be sought from the Director of Public Prosecutions.

“I would have thought directions will be straightforward. He is admitting to everything (that the prosecution outlined when the matter first came before the court),” defence solicitor Joseph Cuddigan said.

DPP directions have to be given in a case before an accused person can enter a plea.

The accused man said: “I need to be in Dundrum (Central Mental Hospital) — somewhere like that. I don’t think I should be in society. I think I should be in Dundrum for life. I am seeing things everywhere constantly. I don’t want bail. I don’t want to be on the streets,” he said.

Garda testimony

Garda David Murphy testified: “It is s alleged that at lunchtime on Wednesday, March 11, gardaí responded to reports of a male wearing a black cowboy hat, a long black coat and boots, walking down Paul Street, Cork, carrying a knife in his hand. 

"Multiple units responded to the incident and the accused was located on Bridge Street by the Armed Support Unit and subsequently arrested at Bridge Street, Cork City, for an offence contrary to the Firearms & Offensive Weapons Act. The accused was arrested in possession of a large serrated bread knife which was in his hand.

“CCTV shows the accused walking from Castle Street onto Paul Street at 1.18pm. The accused is then visible bumping into an unknown female member of the public walking towards him on the pavement. 

"He appears to walk into this female intentionally. CCTV shows the unknown female member of the public confront the accused and he then produces a large knife and holds it above his head and points it towards her. A group of five school children are in close proximity to the incident. The accused then walks away and puts the knife into his jacket pocket. 

“At Rory Gallagher Place he is visible on CCTV again holding the knife in his right hand. A large group of people were present in Rory Gallagher Place at the time. The accused walks into the shopping centre holding the knife and as he walks through the main entrance door he places the knife back into his jacket. 

"The accused is then told to leave by security when a member of the public alerted them to the accused. It is alleged the accused then leaves the shopping centre with the knife in his jacket and is subsequently arrested on Bridge Street.”