Courts / Dublin / Report
Ex-rugby schools player jailed for having machete on city street
Summary
A former competitive rugby player and scholarship recipient has been jailed for 18 months after being caught with a machete on a Dublin street. Michael Ibrahim, a 21-year-old father of one from Balbriggan, pleaded guilty to possession of a machete with a sharply pointed blade on Shelbourne Road on July 2. Gardai noticed Ibrahim and another male acting suspiciously and found a broken nail scissors on Ibrahim during a search. When asked for an explanation, Ibrahim did not provide one and was arrested. During the arrest, a black machete was found concealed under his clothing. The court heard that Ibrahim has 26 previous convictions, including drug dealing. His barrister highlighted his bright prospects as a young rugby player and scholarship recipient, noting that he had fallen in with a bad crowd after an injury. The judge emphasized the seriousness of the case and the need for a custodial sentence, stating that it was fortunate the gardai had been alert. Ibrahim was sentenced to 18 months in prison.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Ex-rugby schools player jailed for having machete on city street. Charges or matters: possession of a machete with a sharply pointed blade on July 2 last on Shelbourne Road in the city. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- July 2 Incident
- 2026-02-05 Publication
Why: His barrister said that the reason his client had not given an explanation was because there was none. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: possession of a machete with a sharply pointed blade on July 2 last on Shelbourne Road in the city (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: A former competitive rugby player and scholarship recipient has been jailed for 18 months after he was caught with a machete on a Dublin street. However, the barrister said that Ibrahim had suffered an injury and then fell in with a bad crowd. "He wants to leave offending behind," he said. "He's willing to do any amount of community service." Counsel explained that the defendant has a one-and-half-year-old child with his partner who was in court and was a 'positive influence in his life'. "This is not a case to be dealt with by community service," replied the judge. "It is inherently serious.
Places mentioned
- Dublin street
- Shelbourne Road
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Topics
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