Man wielded knife in Offaly supermarket after being asked to wear a mask

A man who pleaded guilty to being in possession of a knife and with threatening another man came before Judge Alec Gabbett at Tullamore district court.

The offences took place on December 11, 2021, at Lidl Edenderry when Francisco Garcia, Pine Tree House, Lullymore, Rathangan, Kildare threatened Tim O’Connor with a knife when Mr O’Connor told him to wear a mask.

When he was stopped by gardai driving out of Lidl he threw the knife onto the passenger seat. Mr Garcia had 6 previous convictions all for road traffic violations.

His solicitor Donal Farrelly said the defendant was from Chile and was living in a small holding outside of Edenderry with his wife. He grows his own food and he wasn’t aware he had to wear a mask. Mr Farrelly said the other man had berated him for not wearing a mask. He had a back complaint which interfered with his breathing.

Gardai investigating public order incident in Tullamore involving a number of individuals

Mr Farrelly described the knife as a pen knife which Mr Garcia used to cut food.

Having looked at a picture Judge Alec Gabbett remarked that it looked like a very large knife. Sgt James O’Sullivan said the picture had been scaled up.

Donal Farrelly described Mr Garcia as a ''small man'' who is 61. He said he stood a good distance back from Mr O’Connor.

Judge Gabbett asked what would have happened if the other man produced a knife. He said the whole situation would have scaled up. ''How do I know this wouldn’t happen again'' he asked, adding he had a duty to the public.

Mr Farrelly said his client was very sorry for what happened and had never been in trouble before and it wouldn’t happen again. Mr Garcia said he was a peaceful man.

Judge Gabbett put the matter back for a probation report adding that Mr Garcia needed some type of supervision. He extended bail until May 4 and granted legal aid in the case to Mr Farrelly.