Man fined for threatening to stab garda in the throat at Cork's main bus station

At the time he committed the offence, the defendant was obliged to keep the peace as a condition of a suspended sentence for drug offences, so the matter will be re-entered to court

An intoxicated man had been reported as bothering passengers at the bus station on Parnell Place and refusing to leave. Picture: Larry Cummins

A member of An Garda Síochána was threatened that he would be stabbed in the throat by a drunken man at the height of an incident at the main bus station in Cork.

Now at Cork District Court he has been given a €300 fine by Judge David Waters for the threatening behaviour, at Cork District Court.

However, the matter will be brought to the attention of Cork Circuit Criminal Court at the end of October by way of the re-entry of a suspended sentence. 

Sergeant John Dineen said the defendant, 39-year-old Niall Sheehan, was at Cork Circuit Criminal Court on July 1, 2025, when he got a three-year suspended sentence for possession of drugs for sale or supply and for allowing a premises to be used for the preparation of drugs for supply.

As a result of his new conviction that matter will be re-entered as he was obliged to keep the peace and be of good behaviour as a condition of the sentence being suspended.

The incident at the bus station at Parnell Place in Cork occurred at 10pm on Saturday night, June 6.

Sgt Dineen said: “Gardai on mobile patrol were flagged down by security at the bus station on Parnell Place, a public place, who reported an intoxicated man bothering passengers and refusing to leave. Gardaí met with Niall Sheehan who presented as intoxicated.

“Gardaí gave Mr Sheehan a direction to leave the bus station. Niall Sheehan refused to comply with the direction and shouted at one garda that 'I'm going to come back with a knife and stick it in your throat', in view of other members of the public."

Mr Sheehan with an address at an apartment at Breemore, Old Blackrock Road, Cork, had three previous convictions for threatening behaviour and five for being intoxicated and a danger.

Joseph Cuddigan, solicitor, said the accused had no previous assault conviction or for carrying knives and added: “I think the gardaí would have taken it as vulgarity rather that a threat with any seriousness. That does not gainsay that gardaí should not be exposed to that kind of comment.”