A 52-year-old woman accused of waving a knife at three people in Eyre Square was later discovered to have a third knife hidden in her bra, a court has heard.

Marie McCarthy, with former addresses in Limerick and Osterley Lodge, lower Salthill, is charged with three offences contrary to section 9 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act.

She faces two charges of possession of two box cutter knives and a hammer at Eyre Square on September 3, and possession of another box cutter knife at Garda North Western Regional Headquarters, also on September 3.

She is also charged with having a box cutter in a public place intended unlawfully to intimidate another person.

That charge alleges McCarthy produced the knife in Eyre Square and waved it at three women who were not known to her.

At Galway District Court Garda Patrick Foley gave evidence of further charging the accused and he outlined the State’s objections to bail.

The court heard it would be alleged that Gardaí were dealing with an incident in Galway City centre on September 3, when three females approached them and reported that a woman had waved a knife at them.

Garda Foley said it was alleged the accused behaved in a threatening and aggressive manner to the three women who are in their 20s.

Garda Foley said he searched the accused and found a hammer and two box cut knife on her person.

Marie McCarthy was conveyed to the Garda North Western Regional Headquarters, where she was searched again and a third knife was allegedly found hidden in her bra.

Defence solicitor, Michael Cunninghan, said his client is entitled to the presumption of innocence and would be willing to abide by any conditions set down by the court.

Asked if any conditions could allay his concerns over the granting of bail, Garda Foley said, “Absoutely none”.

Judge Lydon said she had listened to the State’s grounds for objections and in light of the seriousness of the charges, bail was being refused.

Marie McCarthy was remanded in custody to appear at Galway District Court at a later date.

Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.