Naked man walked dog along Cork road while holding machete, sergeant tells court

A 65-year-old man walked naked along the Old Mallow Rd, in the middle of the afternoon, carrying a machete and walking his dog, Sergeant Aisling Murphy told Cork District Court recently.

After these allegations were outlined, Judge Mary Dorgan said that she would accept jurisdiction to deal with the case at district court level.

Defence solicitor Joseph Cuddigan said the only charge against Eric Fitzgerald of Shaw’s Bridge, Rathpeacon, Cork, was one of possession of a knife. 

Sgt Murphy said: “Gardaí received report of a man walking naked on Old Mallow Rd at 4.15pm on April 9, in possession of a machete, walking his dog.

“Gardaí attended the scene, and the male, Eric Fitzgerald, was in possession of a boning knife with a blade approximately 30cm in length.

“Eric Fitzgerald was spoken to by Garda David O’Donoghue, who remained in the patrol vehicle while awaiting assistance.

“He continued brandishing the knife while continuing to walk along the footpath on the Old Mallow Rd ... and then entered his address. He came out again a number of minutes later, clothed. With the assistance of the Armed Support Unit, Garda John Kerins arrested Eric Fitzgerald for an offence contrary to the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act.”

Judge Dorgan adjourned the case until October 2 to allow time for prosecution statements to be sent to Mr Cuddigan.