Penknife possession results in prison sentence for Cork man with 250 previous convictions

A seven-inch penknife resulted in a five-month prison sentence for a Cork man who was acting suspiciously on North Mall in Cork.

Garda Enda Cotter observed 39-year-old Jonathan Mason of Willowbank View, Upper Fairhill, Cork, sitting in a car on the day in question. 

Sergeant John Kelleher said today at Cork District Court that Garda Cotter believed that the defendant’s actions in the car were suspicious enough to keep him under observation for a while. He then approached the car and informed Mr Mason that there were grounds to search him.

The knife was one of the items found. Also found were Alprazolam tablets and cannabis, for which he was previously fined. 

Today, Sgt Kelleher confirmed that the Director of Public Prosecutions deemed it a suitable case to be dealt with summarily at the district court.

Jonathan Mason appeared in court by video link from prison and said he had the knife for fishing but he did plead guilty to having the knife unlawfully.

Defence solicitor Eddie Burke said the offence dated back to October 6, 2021.

While the accused is serving another prison sentence at the moment, Mr Burke said Mr Mason was doing very well in prison where he is an enhanced prisoner, working within Mountjoy and attending in treatment for addiction issues. Mr Burke said the defendant now enjoys family support and hopes to get work in construction in Dublin on his release from jail.

Judge Mary Dorgan said she would take all of that into consideration but that she also had to be cognisant of his 250 previous convictions, including eight for the possession of knives and numerous counts for possession of drugs and having them for the purpose of sale or supply.

The judge imposed a five-month jail term on him on the knife possession charge.

“Thank you, your honour, I appreciate that… I just want to get out and put all this behind me,” Jonathan Mason said.