Cork man is accused of carrying serrated knife in Cork city centre

A man who never applied for bail because he believes he should not be walking the streets, was remanded in continuing custody until May 12 for the DPP to give directions in his case.

Niall O’Brien, who insists that his correct name is Cornelius O’Brien, 55, is accused of carrying a long serrated knife in Cork city centre.

Garda David Murphy testified: “It is alleged that at lunchtime on Wednesday, March 11, gardaí responded to reports of a male wearing a black cowboy hat, a long black coat and boots, walking down Paul St, Cork, carrying a knife in his hand.

“CCTV shows the accused walking from Castle St onto Paul St at 1.18pm. The accused is then visible bumping into an unknown female member of the public walking towards him. He appears to walk into this female intentionally. 

"CCTV shows the unknown female member of the public confront the accused and he then produces a large knife and holds it above his head and points it towards her.

“The accused then walks away and puts the knife into his jacket pocket.

“At Rory Gallagher Place he is visible on CCTV again holding the knife in his right hand. A large group of people were present in Rory Gallagher Place at the time. 

"The accused walks into the shopping centre holding the knife and as he walks through the main entrance door he places the knife back into his jacket.

“The accused is then told to leave by security when a member of the public alerted them to the accused. 

"It is alleged the accused then leaves the shopping centre with the knife in his jacket and is subsequently arrested on Bridge St.”

Judge Mary Dorgan remanded the accused in custody at Cork District Court. The accused appeared by video link from prison and was represented by solicitor Joseph Cuddigan.