Laois man had knife ‘for his own protection’ when approaching noisy neighbour
Image for illustration purposes
A PRODUCER and content creator was before last week’s sitting of Portlaoise District Court charged with possessing a knife and to a public order offence.
Bernard Dowling from 69 Corrig Glen, Station Road, Portarlington pleaded guilty to possessing the knife and to engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour at his address on 2 August.
Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said: “At 2.30am that morning gardaí were alerted to a row kicking off at 69 Corrig Glen. When they got there, they saw a man banging on the front door. He had a kitchen knife in the waistband of his trousers and was threatening people with hand gestures.” Sgt Kirby said the defendant had 19 previous convictions.
Defending solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said that her 51-year-old client works as a producer and content creator and resides in the same building as the man he was in dispute with. She said since then there has been no further incidents at the premises.
She said Mr Dowling works from his house and relies on the internet for his business as well as quietness. However, he was having issues with one of his neighbours over noise levels.
She said: “He went to the door of the injured party to ask him to stop making noise as he was causing a disturbance. He felt he needed the knife for his own protection and handed it over to the gardaí immediately when they asked him for it. His frustration spilled over to such an excess that he took the action he took on the night.” Ms Fitzpatrick explained that there had been ongoing issues from both parties for a number of years.
Judge Susan Fay remanded Mr Dowling on continuing bail to 12 May and in the meantime instructed him to take part in the restorative justice programme and to engage with the probation and welfare services.
***Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme***
