'Impulsive' man wielded knife in Limerick fast food restaurant ‘for his own protection’

A MAN has appeared before Limerick District Court for “flashing a knife at people” in a fast food restaurant in the city centre.

James O’Connor, 24, of Evanwood, Castletroy, repeatedly flicked a knife open and closed at Supermac’s on O’Connell Street at 5.50pm on May 20, 2025, the court heard.

In his evidence, Prosecuting Sergeant Denis Waters said that when gardaí approached Mr O’Connor, he “could offer no explanation for the knife other than he needed it for his own protection as there are people after him”.

Judge Patricia Harney asked the man why he committed the crime, to which Mr O’Connor replied, “I was on drugs”. Sgt Waters stated that the knife was not used in a threatening manner.

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Solicitor John Herbert, defending the man, said that Mr O’Connor is currently serving a four week custodial sentence.

In mitigation, the solicitor said that his client finished a course of treatment in Coolmine Centre in July 2025, and that Mr O’Connor is a young man who has an issue with drug abuse.

Mr Herbert added that Mr O’Connor is due to take up employment in a call centre.

Sgt Waters detailed that the man has 31 previous convictions, including money laundering, two counts of drug possession, a public order offence, three counts of unauthorised taking, and a number of road traffic offences.

The judge commented that Mr O’Connor was on a suspended sentence when the incident occurred in Supermac’s. “I’ve grave concerns about his character”, the judge said.

Judge Harney further said that the man was “busy blurting things out” during court proceedings, and that he “needs assistance in terms of self management”.

The judge questioned “if he’s that impulsive, will he be able to hold down a job”.

The judge proceeded to adjourn the case to a date in May for a Probation Report to be prepared on Mr O'Connor, and directed the man to bring a wage slip to his next court date.

-Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme