Belfast man claims lock knife was for killing rats

A former homeless man caught with a lock knife on the streets of Belfast claimed he had it to kill rats while sleeping rough, a court heard today.

Dermot McCloskey (24), gouged at his own face with his nails when police confronted him in a city centre doorway about the blade, prosecutors said.

District Judge Peter King also heard that a large crowd of onlookers filmed the incident earlier this year.

McCloskey, now with an address at Churchill House in Belfast, was ordered to serve 12 months probation for the offences of having a bladed article in a public place, disorderly behaviour, resisting police, and possession of a small quantity of diazepam.

The city’s magistrates’ court heard a PSNI patrol encountered McCloskey with a sleeping bag in a doorway at Donegall Place on April 23rd.

McCloskey claimed that other officers had advised him he was allowed to have the knife because the blade was under three inches.

A prosecution lawyer said McCloskey had to be restrained by the patrol as he began to self-harm.

“He started to gouge at his own face with his nails,” counsel said. “He was shouting and using abusive language, and a large crowd began to film the defendant.”

McCloskey was arrested and taken into custody.

“He said he was carrying [the knife] to kill rats when he slept rough,” the prosecutor said.

Defence response

Defence counsel Conn O’Neill said his client had been homeless for nine years.

“He’s very much alone,” Mr O’Neill said.

Mr O’Neill said that McCloskey has now secured settled accommodation and a place on a work programme.

The judge described the case as “very disturbing”.

The 12-month probation order was imposed after McCloskey consented to its terms.

The judge said: “Hopefully it will keep you away from having to sleep in doorways and feeling the need to arm yourself with a lock knife.”