Offaly youth with slash hook had other tools for 'gardening' in car

A YOUNG man with “gardening” tools in his car was fined €100 after gardai prosecuted him under the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act when a slash hook was also found in his vehicle.

Daniel McDonagh (19), Ballinagar, Tullamore, admitted having a wooden handled sharply pointed bladed slash hook at St Columba's Place, Tullamore on July 10 last.

The plea of guilty at the local District Court was entered on the defendant's behalf by John O'Dwyer, BL, a barrister instructed by Patrick Martin, solicitor.

Sergeant Justine Reilly told Judge Andrew Gubbins the slash hook was found during a search. Mr McDonagh had no previous convictions.

Mr O'Dwyer said the accused, a single man with no children who had previously undergone an operation on his spine, had been carrying out gardening works on the day.

Defence counsel added that Mr McDonagh had other tools in the back of the vehicle for the gardening work.

Sergeant Reilly said while it was accepted there were tools in the back, Mr McDonagh offered no reasonable excuse at the time for having the slash hook.

Imposing the €100 fine, Judge Gubbins noted the slash hook was in the front of the vehicle.

He gave the young man 12 months to pay the fine and made an order for the destruction of the slash hook.

The judge also granted legal aid and certified for counsel.

(Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme)