Cork man who had steak knife on train ‘for fishing’ avoids custodial sentence

Passengers on a train alerted gardaí about a man in a carriage who was clearly in possession of a steak knife and while he pleaded guilty to possessing it he claimed it was for fishing.

Richard Glavin, aged 59, of Ashmount Court, Silversprings in Cork, “is acutely aware of the risk of a prison sentence”, his solicitor Frank Buttimer told Cork District Court.

Sergeant John Dineen said: “There was a report from passengers on a train that there was a passenger with a steak knife.” 

Sgt Dineen said that at around 8pm last August 17, gardaí arrived at the platform and found that the man who allegedly had the knife was the last person in the carriage.

The charge states that on August 17 at Iarnród Éireann, Kent Station, Lower Glanmire Road, Cork, he had a knife which had a blade or which was sharply pointed, contrary to the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act.

Judge Catherine Ryan said after seeing a photograph of the knife and hearing the explanation about having it for fishing, “If that is the actual size of the knife I would be very concerned about it.”

Mr Buttimer said: “He was intoxicated when searched. The knife was in his bag. He had been fishing in Cobh. It is a steak knife with a 6in blade. He had other fishing paraphernalia in his bag.

“What makes him guilty of the offence was the visibility of the knife, which precludes him from saying he had a lawful reason for having it.

“Had it not become visible there would not have been a complaint. The gardaí would not have had to search him and find the knife.

“I appreciate the concern the court has for knives and knife crime. There is nothing otherwise sinister in relation to his conduct. I would ask for a non-custodial sentence,” he added.

Judge Ryan said: “It is a very serious offence, it carries up to 12 months in prison —anyone carrying an implement with a blade.”

The judge said the matter would have caused great concern for members of the public, including tourists during the summer period.

The judge imposed a sentence of two months suspended.

“I take it he has learned his lesson — any fishing gear has to be carefully packed away.”