Saturday 31 October 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. 18431Possession of a knife; threatening behaviour · Co. Longford · 2 Feb 2022

Longford man jailed for nine months over knife and threats to publican

On Wednesday 2 February 2022, James Smith (41) of Granard Road, Edgeworthstown, Co Longford, allegedly became abusive and threatened publican Margaret Maguire after she refused to serve him at the pub at 9.30pm. Gardaí, including the Armed Support Unit, arrested him and charged him with possession of a knife, possession of scissors, threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour and public intoxication. At Longford District Court, Judge Bernadette Owens convicted him, and he was sentenced to nine months for the knife possession charge and three months for threatening behaviour, with the other charges taken into consideration. The sentencing was reported in 2024, which is the latest development.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced31 Jan
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • James Smith (41) went to a pub at 9.30pm and the publican, Margaret Maguire, refused to serve him and asked him to leave.
  • Mr Smith allegedly became abusive and made threats to the witness.
Where
The incident took place at Granard Road, Edgeworthstown, Co Longford.
When
The incident took place on Wednesday 2 February 2022.
Weapon
The witness said she saw Mr Smith holding a knife and scissors.
Investigation
  • The witness called the Gardaí, who asked for the assistance of the Armed Support Unit.
  • Mr Smith was arrested and gardaí searched the house he was in, but no items were recovered.
Other details
  • In interview Mr Smith admitted an altercation at the pub but denied any weapons were involved.
  • The defence argued the prosecution had not proved beyond reasonable doubt that Mr Smith was the man at the door of the pub.
Charges
Mr Smith was charged with possession of a knife, possession of scissors, threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour and public intoxication.
In court
  • The case was heard at Longford District Court before Judge Bernadette Owens, who described the witness evidence as crystal clear and convicted Mr Smith.
  • The court was told Mr Smith had 145 previous convictions.
Sentence
  • Mr Smith was sentenced to nine months for the knife possession charge, with the scissors charge taken into consideration.
  • Mr Smith was sentenced to three months for threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour, with the public intoxication charge taken into consideration.
16 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatMr Smith went to the pub at 9.30pm and the publican refused to serve him and asked him to leave. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatMr Smith became abusive and made threats to the witness. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whereThe incident took place at Granard Road in Edgeworthstown, Co Longford. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whereThe sentence was handed down in Longford District Court. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whenThe incident took place on Wednesday 2 February 2022. (longfordleader.ie)
  • weaponThe witness saw Mr Smith holding a knife and scissors. (longfordleader.ie)
  • investigationThe witness called the Gardaí. (longfordleader.ie)
  • investigationGardaí called for the assistance of the Armed Support Unit. (longfordleader.ie)
  • investigationMr Smith was arrested and gardaí searched the house he was in, but no items were recovered. (longfordleader.ie)
  • chargeJames Smith was charged with possession of a knife, possession of a scissors, threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour and public intoxication. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtThe judge described the witness evidence as crystal clear and convicted Mr Smith. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtThe court was told Mr Smith had 145 previous convictions. (longfordleader.ie)
  • sentenceMr Smith was sentenced to nine months for the knife possession charge, with the scissors charge taken into consideration. (longfordleader.ie)
  • sentenceMr Smith was sentenced to three months for threatening and abusive behaviour, with the public intoxication charge taken into consideration. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherIn interview Mr Smith admitted an altercation at the pub but denied any weapons were involved. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherThe defence argued the prosecution had not proved beyond reasonable doubt that Mr Smith was the man at the door of the pub. (longfordleader.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 31 Jan2024
    Sentencedlongfordleader.ie, first report
    Knife wielding Longford man jailed for nine months for threatening publican

    Reports the sentencing of James Smith at Longford District Court. The article states the incident took place on Wednesday, February 2, 2022, although it was published in 2024.

    convicted, James Smith, 41, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Smithvictim, Margaret Maguire, irish (judged from name)Margaret Maguire