A man who waved a three inch knife while members of the public were trying to get into taxis received a five months suspended sentence at Galway District Court this week.
Martin Donovan (31 ) with an address at 59 Beal Srutha, Ballybane, appeared before Judge Mary Fahy last Monday and pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a knife and for being intoxicated in a public place. A charge for threatening and abusive behaviour was withdrawn.
Inspector Sean Colleran told the court that on July 13, 2008, in Eyre Square at 3.10am the defendant was at the taxi rank causing a disturbance as other patrons were trying to get into the taxis. The inspector added that it was not until gardai got closer that they noticed Donovan was “waving” a three inch knife about and he was immediately arrested.
Defence solicitor Valerie Corcoran said that her client had been on his way home when he realised the knife was on his person. She said that Donovan had been very drunk on this occasion and had been stumbling.
The court then heard that the defendant has previous convictions for road traffic offences in September 2003.
“Carrying a knife is very serious. He should be old enough to know better,” said Judge Fahy who then convicted and sentenced Donovan to five months suspended for 12 months on condition that he enter a bond of €300 to be of good behaviour. She also fined him €100 with three months to pay and issued a destruction order for the knife
