Gardaí arrest teenager armed with 'huge knife' at large church in the Midlands

Gardaí arrested a teenager who was armed with a large kitchen knife on the grounds of a church in Laois at the weekend. 

The incident happened while Communions were taking place at SS Peter and Paul’s Church, Portlaoise, on the afternoon of Saturday, May 17 at around 3pm.

One eye witness said they saw a man outside the church with 'a huge knife' as children were walking out. 

Portlaoise Gardaí confirmed there had been an incident and a teenage boy was promptly arrested at the scene. 

They said “a young male approximately 16” was arrested on the grounds of the church and a kitchen knife was recovered. 

The teenager was detained by two gardai who were in the area at the time.  Gardaí said nobody was injured during the incident. 

They said a file has been sent to the Juvenile Liaison Officer(JLO) in relation to the matter.