'Positive strides' sees sentence for having knife at hospital suspended
A man who was caught carrying a large fishing knife in Tallaght Hospital and later threatened gift shop staff with a knuckle duster has had his 17-month jail sentence replaced with a suspended term on appeal.
Judge Jonathan Dunphy suggested the man “leaves his implements at home” if he ever goes near a hospital again.
Sean Lennon (30) with last address in Fairview, Dublin 3, pleaded guilty in the District Court to a series of offences including the production of an article capable of inflicting serious injury and the possession of knives and other articles contrary to the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act, 1990.
Garda Brian Kane told the District Court Appeals Court that on November 1, 2022 he responded to the scene at Tallaght Hospital where there were reports of a man carrying a large knife.
He said he discovered a large fishing knife in Lennon’s back pocket and that the appellant gave no reason for having the knife in his possession. He was subsequently arrested and sentenced to six months in jail.
Sergeant Stephen Walsh said that on November 30, 2023 in Padison and Yule, College Green, Dublin, Lennon entered the gift shop and had a verbal dispute with the staff member.
He said that Lennon then produced a knuckle duster and threatened staff. He said that gardai intervened and Lennon was eventually sentenced to nine months in custody for this offence.
Garda Dane Burke said that on February 13, 2024 he responded to a public order incident on Dublin’s Camden Row.
He said that he observed the appellant shouting expletives to members of the public. He said that Lennon provided false details to gardai and was arrested. He was later convicted and sentenced to two months in custody for this incident.
Sergeant Walsh also said that on June 1, 2024 on Parnell Square East, Lennon was arrested after an incident where he was publicly intoxicated and gave false details to gardai. He also failed to appear in court for this incident and it was taken into consideration in the District Court judge’s sentencing.
The sergeant said that Lennon has 22 previous convictions including cases of criminal damage and theft.
Defence counsel for Lennon, Richard Brady BL, said that his client had been plagued with alcohol issues since his teenage years, often getting “blind drunk”.
Mr Brady said that his client is apologetic for his actions, some of which he doesn’t remember at all.
Counsel said that Lennon sought addiction counselling and is now 15 months sober and living outside the city centre. He said he now volunteers up to seven days a week and assists with soup runs.
Judge Jonathan Dunphy said the positive strides that Lennon has made in recent months were not easy and that sending him into custody would aggravate his situation and not assist him.
He decided to suspend Lennon’s sentences fully for a period of two years on the condition that he keeps the peace and is placed under the supervision of the probation services and follows all of their instructions.