Drunk man evicted in Offaly produced knife in nightclub the next day

A man in his 20s who came to Portlaoise to find somewhere to live but instead got drunk and threatened nightclub bouncers with a knife is going to jail.

Cian Matthews, aged 24, of 2997, Maryville Grove, Mellita, Kildare, did not appear before Portlaoise District Court arising from his behaviour on March 21 this year. The July 11 sitting was the third time he failed to appear in relation to the incident.

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby told the court that the accused was intoxicated and threatened security staff on Market Square. The accused had a knife and scissors blade which was seized by Gardaí.

He has no previous convictions.

Defence solicitor Barry Fitzgerald said his client was living in Offaly but was evicted the day before the incident. He was told that he may get hostel accommodation in Portlaoise.

Mr Fitzgerald said his client was “at his wit’s end” due to being homeless but had drunk all day and reacted poorly.

Judge Andrew Cody said the accused has had two chances to appear in court to face the charges. He said he may have given a suspended sentence if there was an appearance.

He said the possession of a blade by a drunk person was a cause “of serious concern to everybody in the nightclub”.

He convicted Mr Matthews and sentenced him to two concurrent three-month sentences.