Thursday 29 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. 10884Possession of an axe and drugs · Co. Longford · 10 Aug 2025

Longford man to appear in court over axe found in sports bag

Aaron Hartshorn, a man with an address in Colehill, Longford, was stopped by Garda Padraig Shanley on the Connacht Road in Longford town just after midnight on Sunday 10 August 2025. An axe was reportedly found hanging out of his sports bag, and a search at Longford Garda Station found drugs worth €50 on him. A recent sitting of Longford District Court, reported on 22 February 2026, heard the case, and Judge Owens accepted jurisdiction. The latest development is that he is due to appear again before Longford District Court on March 10, when he is due to enter a plea.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court20 Feb
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A man, Aaron Hartshorn, is before Longford District Court over alleged possession of an axe and drugs.
Where
  • The stop took place on the Connacht Road in Longford town.
  • The man was taken to Longford Garda Station.
When
Gardaí stopped the man just after midnight on Sunday 10 August 2025.
Weapon
An axe was found hanging out of the man's sports bag.
Investigation
Garda Padraig Shanley stopped the man, who was known to him, and carried out a search.
Other details
  • Drugs worth €50 were found on the man when he was searched at the station.
  • The man has an address in Colehill, Longford.
  • The solicitor for the accused is John Anderson.
Charges
The man is before the court over alleged possession of an axe and drugs.
In court
  • Judge Owens accepted jurisdiction in the matter.
  • The man is due to appear again before Longford District Court on March 10.
  • The man is due to enter a plea on March 10.
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe stop took place on the Connacht Road in Longford town. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whereThe man was taken to Longford Garda Station. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whenGardaí stopped the man just after midnight on Sunday 10 August 2025. (longfordleader.ie)
  • weaponAn axe was found hanging out of the man's sports bag. (longfordleader.ie)
  • investigationGarda Padraig Shanley stopped the man, who was known to him, and carried out a search. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtThe man is due to appear before Longford District Court again on March 10. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtJudge Owens accepted jurisdiction on the matter. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtThe man is due to enter a plea on March 10. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherDrugs worth €50 were found on the man when he was searched at the station. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherThe solicitor for the accused was John Anderson. (longfordleader.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 20 Feb2026
    In courtlongfordleader.ie, first report
    Longford man stopped by Garda after midnight found with ‘axe hanging out of sportsbag’

    Reports the defendant's court appearance and plea date, and the details of the Garda stop, search and drugs find.

    accused, Aaron Hartshorn, male, named, irish (judged from name)Aaron Hartshorn