Derry judge describes behaviour of people who bring weapons to fights as 'frankly outrageous'

A Derry judge has described the behaviour of some people involved in fights who bring weapons as 'frankly outrageous'.

District Judge Barney McElholm comments came in the case of Arthur Gallagher (22) of no fixed abode who admitted having a knife on November 22 last year.

The court heard that police were called to a report of a man with a knife in the Victoria car park in Derry city centre at around 7.15pm on that date.

Members of the public indicated that it was Gallagher who had the knife and when approached by police he told them he had thrown it away and he had it for self defence. 

Police recovered 'a large kitchen knife' in the area indicated by Gallagher and he told police he had bought it specifically for carrying and to 'stab someone '.

He also told police he had already stabbed someone but no proof of this could be found.

Defence counsel Fergal McCormick asked for a pre-sentence report on the defendant. 

Judge McElholm said years ago if two individuals had a fight when one went to the ground that was 'honour satisfied ' and the fight was over.

Then, the judge said 'kicking crept in' and then 'the un-Irish practice of others on the periphery joining in.'

He said 'here we are 50 years later people carrying large knives' and added 'you can imagine someone getting ready to go out checking keys, wallet and knife.'

The judge said Gallagher could be facing 'an immediate lengthy custodial sentence.'

The case was adjourned until April 25 for a pre-sentence report.