Tipp court told man found with penknife was acting in a 'suspicious and aggressive manner'
Nenagh District Court
A Nenagh man has been given a two-month suspended prison sentence for possession of a pen knife.
Darvydas Cvekelis (21) of 8 Riverside Millersbrook was charged with theft at O’Connors on Kenyon Street on March 4, 2023, and possession of a knife at Mulrooney’s Service Station, Nenagh on June 30, 2023.
A number of other charges were taken into consideration, those include possession of drugs and intoxication in a public place.
Several other charges were remanded back to August and September.
Sergeant Regina McCarthy told the court that on March 4, 2023, gardaí went to O’Connors Supermarket on Kenyon Street after receiving a report.
The defendant took a six-pack of beer with a value of €12 and did not attempt to pay.
Sgt McCarthy told the court that on the day of the second incident, gardaí stopped the defendant who they observed behaving in a “suspicious and aggressive manner.”
Gardaí searched Mr Cvekelis and found a small pen knife for which he did not have a reasonable excuse to carry.
The court was told the defendant has no previous convictions.
However, acting for the defendant, solicitor John Spencer said his client has been in custody on a number of matters since April.
He said while he does not have any previous convictions he does have an addiction to alcohol and drugs and the offences he has committed “stems from that.”
Mr Spencer told the court that his client is to get addiction treatment and is awaiting an appointment at Merchant’s Quay.
But in the meantime, “everything caught up with him.”
Until he has a bed, he cannot take up bail.
The solicitor also told the court that his client has been attending school in prison and has a child who is in foster care.
Judge Fiona Brennan said she notes the defendant’s record of having no previous convictions but that there are several matters before the court, albeit minor.
In regard to the theft matter, Judge Brennan imposed a two-year probation order.
For the possession of the knife, the judge gave him a two-month prison sentence, suspended for 24 months.
She took the other matters into consideration.