Courts / Carlow / Report
On-bail offender jailed for armed threat to burn down Carlow pub owners' home
Summary
Martin Lyons, a 31-year-old man with 146 previous convictions, has been jailed for three years for threatening to burn down the family home of a Carlow pub owner while armed with a clawhammer. Lyons was on bail at the time of the incident, which occurred in March 2024. He entered the pub claiming that a former employee owed him money and threatened to burn down the owners' home. The court heard that Lyons had significant addiction issues with alcohol and drugs, and had spent time in a residential treatment unit. His defense highlighted his remorse and the support he receives from his family, including his parents and children. The judge set a headline sentence of five years but reduced it to three years, suspending the final 12 months for two years on the condition that Lyons engages with the Probation Service and maintains his sobriety. Martin Lyons pleaded guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: On-bail offender jailed for armed threat to burn down Carlow pub owners' home. Charges or matters: possessing a hammer with the intention of incapacitating or intimidating someone and threatening to cause harm or to kill the owners during the same incident at the Pint Depot Pub, Royal Oak, Bagenalstown on 16 March, 2024; the offences before the court. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- 16 March Incident
- 2026-07-31 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: possessing a hammer with the intention of incapacitating or intimidating someone and threatening to cause harm or to kill the owners during the same incident at the Pint Depot Pub, Royal Oak, Bagenalstown on 16 March, 2024; the offences before the court (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Morrissey imposed a sentence of four years. She accepted that Lyons is ashamed of his actions and suspended the final 12 months of the sentence for two years on condition that he engage with the Probation Service, maintains his sobriety and engage with mental health services.
Places mentioned
- Springfield Park
- Burrin Road
- Carlow
- Carlow
- Carlow Circuit Criminal Court
Topics
Related court reports
- Carlow man caught with €23k drugs in shed avoids jail
- Irish Rail worker 'brutally assaulted' after asking Carlow passenger for ticket
- Man 'perilously close' to jail in racehorse dispute
- Irish couple must pay UK businesswoman €800k over alleged 'bizarre' loan fraud
- UK businesswoman seeks €1m over alleged 'bizarre' loan fraud by Irish couple
- Supermarket must pay €40k to manager sacked after drinking himself 'comatose'
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request