Man charged over hatchet and knife incident with Garda

A Ramelton man has been charged with producing a hatchet and a knife during an alleged incident with a Garda.

Matthew Hanlon appeared at Monday’s sitting of Letterkenny District Court via video link from Castlerea Prison.

Hanlon was charged in connection with an alleged incident at Swilly Park, Ramelton on July 8, 2023.

The 25-year-old, with an address at Swilly Park, was represented by solicitor Mr Frank Murphy.

Sergeant Jim Collins told the court that it was a ‘recent matter’ and directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) have been sought.

Hanlon was charged with obstructing Gerard Doyle, a peace officer acting in the execution of his duty, knowing or being reckless that he was a peace officer acting in the execution of his duty, an offence contrary  to Section 19 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994.

He was charged with possessing a knife which had a blade or which was sharply pointed and with having an article, namely a hatchet, which had a blade or which was sharply pointed. These offences are contrary to section 9 (1) and (7) of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act, 1990.

Hanlon was further charged that while committing or appearing to be about to commit an offence, to wit, obstruction of a peace officer, in the course of a dispute, produce in a manner likely unlawfully to intimidate another person an article capable of inflicting serious injury, to wit, a Columbia Hiking Knife.

He was also charged that committing or appearing to be about to commit an offence, to wit, obstruction of a peace officer, in the course of a dispute, produce in a manner likely unlawfully to intimidate another person an article capable of inflicting serious injury, to wit, a hatchet.

The latter two offences are contrary to Section 11 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act, 1990.

Judge Éiteáin Cunningham adjourned the matter until August 10 when Hanlon is due to appear via video link.