A CORK man who discarded a penknife with a three-inch blade in front of a garda was later identified as the person who broke the wing mirrors of a car in Skibbereen.

Sean O’Sullivan (20) of Coolts, Tullylease, Charleville pleaded guilty via video link at Clonakilty District Court to criminal damage, the possession of a knife and being drunk in a public place.

Sgt Tom Mulcahy told the court that at 9.45pm on May 11th 2025 Gda Timmy McCarthy saw the accused staggering in the middle of the road in Skibbereen and arguing with a female.

‘There was a strong smell of alcohol from him and his speech was slurred. He was acting nervous and agitated and Gda McCarthy informed him he would be carrying out a search of him,’ said Sgt Mulcahy.

‘Mr O’Sullivan took items out of his pockets and threw a wooden handle penknife with a three-inch blade onto the ground. Gda McCarthy retrieved it and Mr O’Sullivan refused to sign a memo. He was arrested for being drunk in a public place.’

The court then heard that during the course of this incident a motorist approached Gda McCarthy and identified the defendant as the person he saw kicking the wing mirrors of his car which caused €601.50 worth of damage.

Sgt Mulcahy said Mr O’Sullivan had 11 previous convictions including three for dangerous driving as well as other road traffic-related offences.

Defence solicitor Conrad Murphy said his client has ADHD and suffers from depression and had been working with his dad before his parents split up. He added that Mr O’Sullivan wrote a letter of remorse to the owner of the car.

Mr O’Sullivan told Judge Joanne Carroll that he intends to complete a course as a barber and will live with his mother, as well as giving up alcohol and not hanging around with people who are a bad influence on him.

‘You have a good work ethic but alcohol doesn’t agree with ADHD,’ said Judge Carroll, who told him he would need to started gathering compensation money for the car owner.

‘The court will take a chance on you,’ Judge Carroll added.

She said she would ask the Probation Service to admit him to a probation bond for 18 months, with conditions attached to it to include that he must not commit any further offences, that he co-operate with the Probation Service, that he take part in alcohol addiction treatment, and that he repays the €601.50 for the broken wing mirrors within 18 months.

‘It’s up to you to honour what you said in your letter,’ warned Judge Carroll who requested that he be produced at the next court sitting in Bandon to sign the bond.