Courts / Dublin / Report
Suspended sentence for man who had combat knife in garda station
Summary
In Balbriggan District Court, Derek Guildea, 51, received a four‑month suspended sentence after pleading guilty to unlawfully possessing a combat knife at Balbriggan Garda Station on 24 October last year. The knife, described as a four‑inch blade, was found strapped to his right ankle when he entered the station. Sergeant Tony Tighe reported that Guildea approached the station aggressively, reached for the knife, and was stopped by Garda Paul McGeough before he could fully draw it. Guildea, who has 13 prior convictions, claimed he was bringing the knife to hand it over to the gardai and had no intention of using it criminally. Defence solicitor Fiona D'Arcy explained that he had been dealing with mental health issues and had lost weight due to stress. Judge Dermot Dempsey imposed a two‑year peace bond on Guildea in addition to the suspended sentence.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Suspended sentence for man who had combat knife in garda station. Charges or matters: unlawfully possessing the combat knife at Balbriggan Garda Station on October 24 last year. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision
When:
- October 24 Incident
- Christmas Other
- 2015-02-26 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: unlawfully possessing the combat knife at Balbriggan Garda Station on October 24 last year (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Places mentioned
- Balbriggan
- Balbriggan District Court
- Hamlet Lane
- combat knife at Balbriggan Garda Station
- Balbriggan
- Guildea walked into the garda station
Topics
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