Case No. 1768Threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour; failing to comply with garda directions (Public Order Act); unlawful possession of a knife as a weapon (dismissed) · Co. Dublin · 5 Feb 2024
Irish Freedom Party activist Paul Fitzsimons spared jail for threatening Garda sergeant after rally in Dublin
Paul Fitzsimons, a 56-year-old Freedom Party activist from Baldoyle, Dublin, was arrested on 5 February 2024 at Talbot Street in Dublin city centre after addressing a rally and telling a Garda sergeant to 'take off your uniform'. He was charged with threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour, failing to comply with garda directions, and unlawful possession of a knife as a weapon. At Dublin District Court in April 2025, Judge Patricia Cronin dismissed the knife charge but found him guilty of the two Public Order Act offences. She applied the Probation of Offenders Act, sparing him jail and a criminal conviction.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced29 Apr
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Paul Fitzsimons, a 56-year-old Freedom Party activist from Grange Road, Baldoyle, addressed a crowd at the Custom House and told marchers to keep moving after being confronted by counter-demonstrators.
- A Garda sergeant told him to leave under section 8 of the Public Order Act, and he told the officer to 'take off your uniform' after the sergeant said he could handle himself.
- Fitzsimons claimed the sergeant punched him three times in the back before arresting him, which the officer rejected.
- Where
- The incident took place at Talbot Street in Dublin city centre on 5 February 2024, and after his arrest he was taken to Mountjoy Garda station where a knife was found.
- Weapon
- He had a knife with two blades, one retractable like a Stanley blade, which he said he had bought at a Woodies store for cutting cable ties to hang posters.
- Charges
- He was charged with unlawful possession of a knife as a weapon, failing to comply with garda directions, and engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour.
- In court
- He pleaded not guilty at Dublin District Court, where Judge Patricia Cronin dismissed the knife charge and found him guilty of the two Public Order Act offences.
- Sentence
- Judge Cronin applied the Probation of Offenders Act, sparing him jail and a criminal conviction.
- Other details
- His last prior conviction was in 2003 for a motoring offence.
16 statements extracted from the articles
- whatPaul Fitzsimons is a 56-year-old Irish Freedom Party activist from Grange Road, Baldoyle (irishtimes.com)
- whatHe is an unsuccessful general election candidate, podcaster, IT consultant, and former taxi driver (irishtimes.com)
- whatHis last prior conviction was in 2003 for a motoring offence (irishtimes.com)
- whatHe addressed a crowd at the Custom House and told other marchers to keep moving in response to being confronted by counter-demonstrators (irishtimes.com)
- whatHe had a knife with two blades, one retractable like a Stanley blade, bought in a Woodies store for cutting cable ties to hang posters (irishtimes.com)
- whatA Garda sergeant told him to leave citing section eight of the Public Order Act (irishtimes.com)
- whatHe claimed the garda punched him three times in the back before arresting him, which the sergeant rejected (irishtimes.com)
- whatHe told the sergeant to "take off your uniform" after the officer said he could handle himself (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe incident occurred at Talbot Street in Dublin city centre (irishtimes.com)
- whereAfter his arrest he was taken to Mountjoy Garda station where the knife was found (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe incident took place on 5 February 2024 (irishtimes.com)
- chargeHe was charged with unlawful possession of a knife as a weapon, failing to comply with garda directions, and engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour (irishtimes.com)
- courtHe pleaded not guilty at Dublin District Court (irishtimes.com)
- courtJudge Patricia Cronin dismissed the knife charge after noting the reason he had it was to cut down posters (irishtimes.com)
- courtJudge Cronin found him guilty of the two Public Order Act charges (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceJudge Cronin applied the Probation of Offenders Act, sparing him jail and a criminal conviction (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 29 Apr2025Irish Freedom Party activist who became ‘irate’ after being arrested with knife is spared jail
Reports the full outcome at Dublin District Court: knife charge dismissed, two Public Order Act charges proven, Probation of Offenders Act applied with no criminal conviction recorded.
accused, Paul Fitzsimons, 56, male, named, irish (judged from name)Paul Fitzsimonsvictim