Man with knife shouted at people in city centre

A man who got into a row at home decided to start drinking for the morning and he ended up coming to the attention of gardaí several hours later when he produced a knife as he shouted at people on Shandon Street.

Sergeant Pat Lyons said that at 5pm on July 7 gardaí received reports of a man armed with a knife shouting at members of the public on Shandon Street, Cork.

Garda Ross Broekhuizen observed Cian Barry discard a knife by throwing it across the street when he was intoxicated.

Sergeant Pat Lyons said: “On CCTV he was observed brandishing a knife and threatening members of the public with it.”

Barry of 23 Churchfield Avenue pleaded guilty to having a knife in his possession on the occasion as well as being drunk and a danger and engaging in threatening behaviour.

Defence solicitor Shane Collins-Daly said: “Mr Barry is aware this is a very serious offence.

“He was granted bail and thankfully he has not got into any more trouble or come to the attention of gardaí.

“On the day he had a row with his partner and started drinking at home early in the morning.”

The solicitor said the row in the public place was a row with his partner and later with members of her family.

“He was just holding the knife. Thankfully, there was nothing worse than that.

“He is off drink since this occurred. He is 27. It is a very serious incident but I would ask you to look at it as an isolated incident,” Mr Collins-Daly said.

Judge Mary Dorgan said, “It merits a prison sentence but I will look for a probation report.” 

The judge adjourned the case to Cork District Court on March 27, 2024, for that purpose.