Sunday 1 November 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 23181Knife possession, public drunkenness, threatening/abusive/insulting behaviour · Co. Offaly · 26 Jun 2026

77-year-old Edenderry man sentenced for knife possession and public order offences

Brendan McDonnell, 77, of Edenderry, pleaded guilty at Tullamore District Court to knife possession, public drunkenness and threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour after being found highly intoxicated near the Grand Canal in Edenderry on 26 June 2026. Judge Andrew Cody sentenced him to two months in prison, suspended for two years.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced16 Oct
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
11 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe man was highly intoxicated, unsteady on his feet and appeared to be bleeding from a fall. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whereThe man was found near the bank of the Grand Canal in Edenderry. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whenThe incident occurred at 8.50pm on 26 June 2026. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • weaponA knife with a six-centimetre blade was found in a search. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • chargeHe pleaded guilty to knife possession, public drunkenness and engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour at JKL Street, Edenderry. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtLegal aid was granted. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • sentenceJudge Cody sentenced him to two months in prison but suspended it for two years. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe accused had seven previous convictions including one for a public order offence and one for assault. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe knife was in his pocket and had not been exposed or produced at any stage. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe accused had been in AA for six weeks and was on medication. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherHe had previously been in custody and did not want to go back. (offalyexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 16 Oct2026
    Sentencedoffalyexpress.ie, first report
    Drunk Offaly man (77) with knife in pocket told garda 'I'm in the 'Ra'

    Reports the sentencing at Tullamore District Court. The accused was found intoxicated and bleeding near the Grand Canal in Edenderry; a 6cm knife was in his pocket. He had seven previous convictions and had been in AA for six weeks. Sentenced to two months suspended for two years.

    accused, Brendan McDonnell, 77, male, named, irish (judged from name)Brendan McDonnell