Allegation that man signing-on at Cork garda station threatened to behead member of public

A young man attending a Cork garda station allegedly threatened to behead another man who was present in the public office at the time, a court has heard.

Sergeant Gary Brennan alleged that Emmanuel Ibrahim only turned away when he noticed a member of An Garda Síochána appearing in the area.

These were the allegations made by Sergeant Brennan in an objection to bail being granted to the Emmanuel Ibrahim of Ashbrook Heights, Lehenaghmore, Togher, on the basis of garda concerns that the accused would be a danger to the public.

“It is alleged that on Tuesday January 27, Emmanuel Ibrahim attended at Togher Garda Station to sign on. While waiting he stood up and removed a silver steak knife from his sock and placed it into his waistband.

“It will be alleged that Emmanuel Ibrahim then removed a larger black knife from his waist band and began swinging it in the air. There was a member of the public awaiting service at the hatch.

“Emmanuel had the large kitchen knife in his right hand when he began to sneak up on the unsuspecting member of the public.

“As Emmanuel reached the member of the public, it appears he observed a garda on the other side of the hatch and immediately placed the knife into his waist band and retreated from the male.

“The member of the public told gardaí that Emmanuel Ibrahim had been repeating 'I will behead you' while he was sitting on the bench. The member of the public tried not to make eye contact or engage with the suspect in any way.

“Gardai tackled the suspect and retrieved the knife from the leg of his trousers. A second knife was located in his underwear during a search in the cell. The incident in its entirety is captured on clear CCTV,” Sgt Brennan said.

Diarmuid Kelleher, solicitor, cross-examined the sergeant who said the defendant, who is in his early 20s, was sober but did appear to have an underlying mental health issue and was incoherent when gardaí spoke to him.

The defendant was called to give evidence in his bail application. Asked if he knew why he was in court, he said: “I swung a knife at someone in the garda station.” 

Asked if he knew why he did that, he replied, “No”. He said he had been diagnosed with schizophrenia.

Mr Kelleher said to his client: “The state say there is a danger you might have a knife again and that people might be in danger.” Emmanuel Ibrahim replied: 

“It won’t happen again. I will take a higher dose of medication and I will be more calm.” 

He said he did not know it was a criminal offence, even to carry a knife.

Judge Catherine Ryan refused bail and recommended that the accused would get psychiatric attention in prison. 

On the application of Sergeant John Kelleher, the judge adjourned the case until February 4 at Cork District Court.