AN agitated man with a knife in his pocket was refused service when he tried to buy alcohol at his local shop but when he was told he could come back later he responded by shaking the manager’s hand and kissing him.

Kevin Hegarty, defending, described his client — 46-year-old Bernard Ameyaw — as “very animated, even without drink”.

However, Judge Olann Kelleher referred to an earlier incident just before Ameyaw went to the shop and said, “Having a knife over his head at 6.30pm in the evening is a serious matter.”

Sergeant Gearóid Davis outlined the evidence against Ameyaw in relation to the unlawful possession of a knife on two occasions on May 26, 2019.

“A witness on Church St, off Shandon St, said she went to lock her own gate when she saw the defendant, who is her neighbour, arguing with two males. He then went back into his own house at Church St and came out brandishing a knife over his head at the two males,” said Sgt Davis.

“Five minutes later the manager at Centra on Shandon St saw the defendant who was agitated. He told him he had a knife for his own protection. He showed him the knife.

“He said he wanted to buy alcohol. He was refused and was asked to leave and he did,” said Sgt Davis.

The defendant’s only other conviction was under the Road Traffic Act.

Mr Hegarty, solicitor, quoted from the statement given by the manager at Centra, in which he stated in relation to Ameyaw: “He asked me could he come back afterwards. [When told that he could] he shook my hand, kissed me, and walked away.”

Judge Kelleher asked: “What is the underlying problem?” Mr Hegarty said, “He is very animated, even without drink.”

Judge Kelleher directed the preparation of a probation report in advance of sentencing on June 13, on the charges of possessing the knife on each occasion.