Laois man was drunk and found in possession of knife
Portlaoise Courthouse
A MAN whom gardaí came across drunk and staggering across the roadway was found to be in possession of a kitchen knife.
Arising from the incident, Christopher Cooney (29), The Rock Inn, Ballydavis, Portlaoise pleaded guilty at the local district court to being intoxicated, possessing a knife and engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour on Dublin Road, Portlaoise on 14 March. He also pleaded guilty to possessing a small quality of heroin for his own use when searched on 16 January at Abbeyleix Garda Station.
The court heard that Mr Cooney has 48 previous convictions.
Barrister David Nugent said that his client has been in custody and is due for release on Thursday 16 April and, while in custody, has been addressing his addiction and “is thriving.” He said the knife was found in Mr Cooney’s pocket and he wasn’t going to use it.
Mr Nugent said: “He was given drugs by others who were trying to force him back on drugs.”
Mr Cooney told Judge Andrew Cody: “I’m working with Merchant Quay (addiction services) and will continue to engage with them when I get out.”
“When somebody is addicted to heroin, drunk and has a knife, it’s a lethal combination,” said Judge Cody, who went on to impose a one-month sentence for possessing the knife, to commence on 16 April, and took the other matters into consideration.
