An unemployed Romanian man was “very drunk” when he was brandishing a knife on the Main Street of Carrickmacross yesterday, a court has heard. The accused, David Covaciu, was charged with two offences under the firearms and offensive weapons act 1990.
Both charges laid against the accused relate to possession of a knife in a public place. He was also charged with abusive and threatening language under the Public Order Act.
Northern Sound reported that Garda Barry Sheehy said that the suspect “was caught red handed”, while his solicitor said that her “client had lived in Carickmacross for 8-9 years” and was “very drunk when the incident took place”.
Videos of the incident have been circulating widely on social media and were referred to in the court and by Gardaí who issued a statement on the incident yesterday.
“Gardaí wish to reassure the public that we are aware of an incident which occurred in Carrickmacross this evening and has been circulating on social media,” they said. “We wish to confirm that this suspect has been arrested and is being held in Garda custody pending further investigation. He will be held for Court.”
Last week, a peaceful protest was organised in the town against what a spokeswoman said was problems in the town with bad behaviour and bullying of kids. Laura McElroy, who said she had come to the country to live in the town 20 years ago, told Northern Sound that recent new arrivals to the town had added to difficulties, and claimed that older people were also being targeted as they collected their pensions.