A man who was found in possession of a Stanley knife in a Letterkenny nightclub has avoided a conviction.
In dismissing a charge against Artjoms Sagrebins, Judge Éiteáin Cunningham sounded a warning that such items should not be brought out when socialising.
Judge Cunningham dismissed the charge against Sagrebins after hearing that the accused man, a 24-year-old with an address at Bridgend, Ramelton, had been called to work and simply had the knife in his possession.
Garda Inspector Tony Byrne outlined the case at Letterkenny District Court.
Inspector Byrne read out a statement from a bouncer at Voodoo Bar, who said he was on duty on May 27, 2023. Shortly after 1am, the man became aware of a male acting suspiciously.
The man, now known to be Sagrebins, had a Stanley knife in his pocket, which was yellow and black in colour and had a retractable blade. Sagrebins was escorted from the premises and security staff alerted Gardai in a nearby patrol car.
A statement from Garda Sharona O’Toole was also read by Inspector Byrne. Garda O’Toole told how she was approached by a security officer who said they needed assistance with a male who was carrying a knife. The knife was handed over to Gardai and Garda O’Toole arrested Sagrebins at 1.32am.
Sagrebins told Gardai that he used the knife for work and went out after work with the item in his pocket. When charged by Gardai at 2.48am, he made no reply.
Mr Frank Dorrian, solicitor for Sagrebins, told the court that there was no violence going on in the nightclub.
“There was no suggestion that he exposed the blade or wielded it or used it in an aggressive manner,” Mr Dorrian said. “His presentation at all times was completely placid.”
Mr Dorrian said the knife was found after his client was instructed to empty his pockets by security staff.
Sagrebins was put in the witness box and told Judge Cunningham that he came from Lithuania to live in Ireland when he was three years old.
On the night in question, Sagrebins said he was called out to carry out a job in a bookmakers. He said he was working on terminals in the premises and had only got a call to the job as he was getting ready to go out.
Sagrebins told the court that he used the knife for opening packages.
Judge Cunningham told Sagrebins that she had to be satisfied as to the reasons the knife was on his person. He said he carried it in his pocket due to the regularity of use required while on the job.
Inspector Byrne accepted that it appeared Sagrebins had the item for good reason and forgot to take it from his pocket again before going out.
Judge Cunningham noted that an image of the knife was handed in and was helpful as it “seems to be an item used ordinarily in the course of work”.
Judge Cunningham said she was satisfied with Sagrebins’s evidence and noted that the article was not wielded and the blade was not exposed.
In dismissing the charge, Judge Cunningham said she wanted to issue a word of warning.
“These are dangerous items and should not be brought out when socialising,” Judge Cunningham said. “It is not a case of simply ‘forgetting’ it. It could lead to people getting injured, either intentionally or unintentionally. They should not be brought on a night out.”