Judge says knife possession ‘an absolute epidemic’ as man faces fifth charge for carrying one
The KerrymanKerry Judge David Waters has said that knife possession is ‘an absolute epidemic’.
Judge Waters was addressing the case of Kristian Pablaks (32), who received a 10-month imprisonment on Thursday, October 30 after pleading guilty to charges including the possession of knives and a pointed object.
At the time of the offence, he was on two eight-month suspended sentences.
Mr Pablaks, of Finnegans Hostel, Denny Street and An Sean Mhuileann, North Circular Road, Tralee appeared at Tralee District Court this week to address the violation of his suspended sentences.
Solicitor Pat Mann asked the judge for leniency, noting his client always pleaded guilty to charges and cooperated with gardaí.
“He’s been living on the street, he’s been living hand to mouth,” said Mr Mann.
“But what man in his right mind on a suspended sentence for carrying knives is found carrying that kind of knife?” said Judge David Waters.
Although Mr Pablaks had convictions for carrying knives and sharp objects, he held no convictions for intent to cause injury, said Mr Mann.
“Let me ask the question,” said the judge. “What happens if this man finds himself in a confrontation that isn’t of his own making and he produces the knife?”
The judge described the widespread possession of knives as “an absolute epidemic”.
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“I think suspended sentences have to have some meaning,” said the judge. “This is the fifth time now he’s caught carrying a knife of some description.”
He unsuspended four months of each eight-month suspended sentence, to run concurrent together but consecutive to the 10-month sentence issued last Thursday.