Knife accused warned to stay away from alcohol

A man accused of having up to six knives, blades, flick-knives and a hatchet on him in a bar in town has been warned to stay off drink and bring his parents back with him to court this week.

36-year-old Brian Reynolds of Drumiskabole, Carraroe, was granted bail after he gave an undertaking at Sligo District Court to stay off alcohol before his next court appearance this Thursday.

He is accused of having two flick-knives, a hatchet, two pairs of Leatherman multi-tools with blades and a red-handled knife on his person in Stephen Street car park last February 7 th.

Reynolds is also accused of having a red-handled knife in The Snug bar in Stephen Street car park on the same occasion and saying to barman Mr Aidan Morrison “I’m going to end you” after which he proceeded to take out a red-handled knife.

The court heard the defendant is currently on bail but also on a 16 month suspended prison sentence imposed by a Dublin court.

Inspector Donal Sweeney told the court last Thursday that Reynolds, who is currently on bail, “has been in trouble since” and got into a “spot of bother” on July 3rd.

After reading a letter handed up to him, Judge Kilrane said Reynolds was a sad case whereby he appeared to suffer from serious health issues.

He said the defendant was “a very educated man who held an important position in the past in his developing career until he developed serious problems with knives and weapons of various kinds.”

Judge Kilrane asked Reynolds if he was taking his medication and he replied that he had received an injection the day before.

His solicitor, Mr Gerard McGovern, told the judge that his client receives monthly injections.

Judge Kilrane said he didn’t like imprisoning someone like Reynolds and asked him if he was drinking. Reynolds replied: “A little bit at home.” Judge Kilrane said: “You shouldn’t take any alcohol whatsoever.”

“I am a bit concerned for this man. He has a propensity for violence. He had weap- ons in his bag,” he told the court.

“He said he had them for his own protection yet he produced these weapons when there was no threat to him at all,” he added.

Mr McGovern said his client had to realise he couldn’t take alcohol at all and asked him to give an undertaking in the witness box not to take any alcohol.

The court heard the defendant was back living with his parents.

Judge Kilrane decided to remand him on continuing bail week to week to monitor him.

He remanded Reynolds to this Thursday July 27 th, noting his undertaking not to drink and ordered that one or either of his parents be in court with him also.