A knife wielding French tourist terrorised 120 children, aged between four and 14 years, travelling home to Cork by train after a day trip to Dublin Zoo, Cork District Court was told.
Jacky Parquier pleaded guilty to possession of a knife on July 11th, with intent to injure Mr Peter Dineen and with assaulting Mr Martin Ryan and Mr Dineen.
He was sentenced to three months' imprisonment by Judge Uinsin Mac Gruairc, and said, "I deserve it."
Later, when solicitor, Mr Peter Fleming, made an application to have the sentence suspended, the judge refused but said he would set a cash bail of £300 on condition that Parquier leave Ireland as soon as possible.
The court was told that Parquier held a knife to Mr Dineen's throat and to the stomach of Mr Ryan, a youth worker with the Churchfield Gurranabraher play scheme, who said his first reaction was to get the children out to safety.
He and a friend managed to overcome the Frenchman and hold him until gardai arrived at Ceannt station.
Speaking through an interpreter, Parquier (31) apologised to the court. He said he felt he had been insulted on the train, and had over reacted.
Judge Mac Gruairc said he hoped Parquier would return for his appeal case in the circuit court.