Courts / Dublin / Report

Restorative justice programme for 'very pleasant young man' caught throwing knife from car

Summary

Rhys Murphy, 20, of Tallaght, pleaded guilty at Tallaght District Court to possessing a knife in the early hours of 4 May 2025, an offence under section 9 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act. The court heard that gardaí were flagged down at Glenview Park during a late-night chase, where a knife was observed being thrown from a vehicle. Murphy was identified as the person who discarded the weapon, which was subsequently recovered and produced in court. Although defence counsel Michael Hennessy argued that Murphy was a passenger who instinctively threw the knife after it was handed to him, the judge noted that Murphy made no reasonable explanation for possessing it. Judge Patricia McNamara examined the six-inch knife and commented on its appearance. She described Murphy as pleasant but naive and vulnerable to negative peer pressure, warning that possessing a knife increases the likelihood of its use. The court noted Murphy has previous convictions for traffic matters and theft, but none for weapons. In sentencing, Judge McNamara remanded Murphy on continuing bail until 16 January. On that date, he will appear again before Tallaght District Court to engage voluntarily with the Restorative Justice Programme. The judge advised him to stay out of trouble in the interim, stating the court would review his progress at the next hearing.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Restorative justice programme for 'very pleasant young man' caught throwing knife from car. Charges or matters: possessing a knife in the early hours of 4 May 2025, an offence under section 9 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• 4 May 2025 Incident
• 16 January Adjournment
• 2025-12-10 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Sentence Theft

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Read the original CNI report