One last chance for man in the Midlands who threatened a woman while wielding a knife

A man in the Midlands who attempted to bite and headbutt gardai, having threatened a woman while wielding a knife, has been given one last chance. 

Slawomir Ignatowicz, 54, of 7 Conniberry Way, Old Knockmay Road, Portlaoise admitted to charges arising out of the incident at his address on March 26 last year.  He was charged with possession of a knife and criminal damage to a garda van. 

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the incident occurred at 7.15pm. Gardai attended at the house where the defendant was “highly intoxicated and he was threatening a female.”

The man walked to the front door carrying a large fillet knife, said Sgt Kirby. 

The defendant had to be restrained and as he was being arrested he tried to bite and headbutt gardai,  he said.  

The man then spat blood on the floor and seat of the Garda van. He has 16 previous convictions, said Sgt Kirby. 

Solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said the man has brought €300 to court and was supported by his family.    

“This gentleman has everything to do today not to be sent to prison,” she acknowledged. 

“He has an over reliance on alcohol which has to be addressed,” she added. 

She said he has now contacted a doctor and had suffered a work injury in 2010. 

Judge Andrew Cody described the man as having an issue not only with drink but with aggression. 

“He has a problem with aggression and he has a problem with a female,” Judge Cody said. 

“There are far too many women in coffins as a result of that kind of behaviour,” he added. 

Ms Fitzpatrick said the man had been working with a knife when the incident occurred. She said he was pleading at an early opportunity and was accompanied in court by his wife and children. 

Judge Cody said he would give “one opportunity and one opportunity only to address his issues” and he adjourned the case to September 21. 

The case was adjourned to allow the man to prove he was addressing  his alcohol and anger issues. If not, Judge Cody said he would sentence him to six months in custody on each of the two charges arising from the incident. 

“This man is a danger with aggression and alcohol and a fillet knife,” he said.

He ordered a probation report and asked that the €300 be donated to the Cara Curley Foundation.