Ireland Kildare man sentenced for producing knife and taking cigarette at Wellington Quay, Dublin
On June 13, 2024, at Wellington Quay, Dublin, Martin McDonnell (32) of Naas, Kildare, demanded a cigarette from a man walking home from a night shift by producing a large knife. He was arrested by appointment, made admissions in interview, and pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to production of a knife and dishonestly appropriating a cigarette. He was sentenced to two years with the final 10 months suspended, backdated to June 26 when he went into custody, and must be under Probation Service supervision for 18 months after release. The sentence was reported on February 6, 2026.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced6 Feb
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- A man demanded a cigarette by producing a large knife.
- Where
- The incident took place at Wellington Quay, Dublin.
- When
- The incident took place on June 13, 2024.
- Other details
- The injured party was walking home from a night shift when approached.
- After handing over the cigarette, the man went to hug the injured party and kissed him on the back of the neck.
- The man has 72 previous convictions.
- The court report was published by Kildare Now on February 6, 2026.
- Weapon
- The man pulled a large knife from his trousers after the injured party refused him.
- Investigation
- The man was arrested by appointment and made admissions in interview.
- Charges
- The man pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to production of a knife and dishonestly appropriating a cigarette.
- In court
- The judge cited the guilty plea and expressions of remorse as mitigation, and the production of a large knife as aggravating.
- Sentence
- The man was sentenced to two years, with the final 10 months suspended.
- The sentence was backdated to June 26, when the man went into custody.
- The man must be under Probation Service supervision for 18 months after release.
14 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA man demanded a cigarette by producing a large knife. (kildarenow.com)
- whereThe incident took place at Wellington Quay. (kildarenow.com)
- whenThe incident took place on June 13, 2024. (kildarenow.com)
- weaponThe man pulled a large knife from his trousers after the injured party refused him. (kildarenow.com)
- investigationThe man was arrested by appointment and made admissions in interview. (kildarenow.com)
- chargeThe man pleaded guilty to production of a knife and dishonestly appropriating a cigarette. (kildarenow.com)
- courtThe judge said the mitigation included the guilty plea and expressions of remorse. (kildarenow.com)
- courtThe judge said it was aggravating that a large knife was produced. (kildarenow.com)
- sentenceThe man was sentenced to two years, with the final 10 months suspended. (kildarenow.com)
- sentenceThe sentence was back-dated to June 26, when the man went into custody. (kildarenow.com)
- sentenceThe man must be under Probation Service supervision for 18 months after release. (kildarenow.com)
- otherThe injured party was walking home from work after a night shift when approached. (kildarenow.com)
- otherThe man has 72 previous convictions. (kildarenow.com)
- otherThe man went to hug the injured party and kissed him on the back of the neck after handing over the cigarette. (kildarenow.com)
The reporting
newest first- 6 Feb2026Kildare man produced large knife and later kissed his victim
Court report on the plea and sentence. Adds the guilty plea, sentence terms, probation direction, the back-dating of the sentence and the mitigation and aggravation given by the judge.
convicted, Martin McDonnell, 32, male, named, irish (judged from name)Martin McDonnellvictim