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08 Sept 2025
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08 Sept 2025
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An Offaly man was convicted of carrying around a snooker ball in a sock with the intent of “causing an injury or incapacitating a person” last week's sitting of Tullamore District Court was told.
Leon Joyce, 3 Woodlane, Hillside, Birr was charged with committing the offence on Main Street, Birr on November 21 last.
He was also charged with being in possession of a knife in Birr Garda Station on November 22 last. Other charges included intoxication in public and threatening behaviour, both on Main St, Birr and both on November 21, 2024.
The defending solicitor Patrick Martin said his client was pleading guilty. Sgt Brendan Kearns told the court that the Guards got a call from a fast food restaurant on Main St, Birr at 11pm on November 21 that there was a drunken male on the premises who was verbally abusing the owner of the restaurant.
The Gardai arrived, searched the defendant and found a long sock with a snooker ball into it which he had placed in his jacket pocket.
Mr Joyce had five previous convictions including drink driving and hit and run.
A Garda told the court that he didn't believe Mr Joyce was actually going to use the snooker ball or the knife with any malice.
“He told me his brother was out of town and he had to feed his brother's dogs. He told me he didn't have access to his brother's house therefore he was going to smash the window with the snooker ball to get into it to feed the dogs as he had promised.”
Mr Martin showed the Judge pictures of the defendant's brother's pups.
“The knife was for the purpose of feeding the dogs. He did have a few drinks on the night. There was no bad intent. He is 33 years of age, a single man. He is not working but has obtained a truck licence during the last couple of months.”
Judge Andrew Cody sentenced to three months imprisonment, suspending the sentence for three years. He also fined €500 and ordered the destruction of the snooker ball and knife.
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