A Waterford man was instructed to make a donation to charity to avoid a knife possession charge.
Patrick Sheridan (32) with an address at 155 Hennessey’s Road, Waterford was charged with being in possession of a blade in public, contrary to Section 9 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act, 1990, after he was searched by Gardaí at John Street, Waterford, on 3 June, 2024.
At a sitting of Waterford District Court last week, it was stated on the night in question, the accused approached Gardaí while he was under the influence, and before a stop and search took place, he was asked if he had anything sharp in his pockets.
He was alleged to have said no, while actually having a blade in his pocket. The court was also told that the accused made several comments to the Gardaí before being arrested.
Acting for the accused, solicitor Kenneth Cunningham said it was a “working man’s blade and not a Stanley knife” that he had in his possession.
He stated that on the day in question, his client was working on a construction site, and received contact to say that a family member had unfortunately passed away. Instead of returning home, he then went out for drinks.
Mr. Cunningham said that his client is a “working individual and responsible father” and has gone through a “period of reflection” since the incident by undergoing counselling. His partner of 14 years, who it was said “does not tolerate any of this sort of behaviour” was present and ensured that he prepared a letter of apology for the court. The letter, which was read by Mr. Cunningham, said the accused takes full responsibility for his actions, and he has been sober from drugs and alcohol since April of this year.
The court was told the accused has 24 previous convictions, for matters including road traffic incidents, burglary and theft, and this offence occurred when he was on a nine month suspended sentence, suspended for two years, for a burglary that occurred in May 2023.
However, Mr. Cunningham highlighted to the court that his client has come to no further Garda attention since this incident in June.
Judge Miriam Walsh said that the accused’s actions “speaks to someone throwing their weight around with a sense of bravado” and that the “Guards have enough to be doing.”
She also questioned whether his partner was “keeping him on the straight and narrow” due to his committal of offences during the period of time they have been together.
In response, Mr. Cunningham stated that he has known the accused for a long time, mentioning that what he said in his letter of apology is “of credibility” and he is “very unlikely to reoffend.”
Judge Miriam Walsh remanded the accused on bail until 9 December next, and invited him to make a €400 donation to St Vincent de Paul.
ROBYN POWER Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme
