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. 18100Brandishing a knife · Co. Sligo · 27 Feb 2024

Man arrested for brandishing knife at ATU Sligo campus

A man gained unauthorised access to the ATU Sligo campus in Ballytivnan, Co Sligo, and brandished a large knife at students and passers-by at approximately 2pm on Tuesday, February 27, 2024. The situation was brought under control by ATU security staff and Gardaí without any injuries. The man was arrested and detained at Sligo Garda Station, and the incident is pending further investigation. Gardaí have appealed for anyone with video footage to send it directly to them rather than sharing it on social media.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrested27 Feb
    2 reports
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A man gained unauthorised access to the ATU Sligo campus and brandished a large knife, waving it in the direction of students and passers-by.
Where
ATU Sligo campus, Ballytivnan, Co Sligo.
When
Approximately 2pm on Tuesday, February 27, 2024.
Weapon
A large knife.
Investigation
  • The man was arrested and detained at Sligo Garda Station and the incident is pending further investigation.
  • Gardaí appealed for anyone with relevant video footage to send it to 085 870 2510 and avoid sharing it on social media.
Other details
  • No injuries were reported and ATU security and staff together with Gardaí took control of the situation.
  • Sinn Fein TD Martin Kenny urged people with footage or images to contact Gardaí in Sligo and not to share them on social media or messaging apps.
  • ATU Sligo has 8,600 students including 650 from Donegal.
18 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA member of the public gained unauthorised access to the ATU Sligo campus and threatened students. (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • whatThe situation was brought under control without any injuries. (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • whatA man gained access to the ATU campus and approached people in the area while armed with a knife. (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • whatA man was seen walking around ATU Sligo armed with a knife. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatThe man was brandishing a large knife and waving it in the direction of passers-by. (donegallive.ie)
  • whenGardaí responded to reports of a disturbance at approximately 2pm in Ballytivnan, Co Sligo on Tuesday, February 27. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationThe suspect was taken into custody at Sligo Garda station. (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • investigationATU is cooperating fully with the authorities. (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • investigationAnyone with relevant video footage is asked to send it to 085 870 2510 and avoid sharing it on social media. (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • investigationATU security and staff members and Gardaí were quickly on scene and took control of the situation. (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • investigationGardaí need to establish the background to the incident. (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • investigationThe man was detained at Sligo Garda Station and the incident is pending further investigation. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherMartin Kenny urged people with footage or images to make contact with Gardaí in Sligo. (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • otherMartin Kenny implored people not to share or re-share images or footage on social media or messaging apps. (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • otherSupports on campus are available for any students who may need them. (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • otherVideos of the incident were circulating on social media before gardaí arrived. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherNo injuries were reported. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherATU Sligo has 8,600 students including 650 from Donegal. (donegallive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 28 Feb2024
    Arresteddonegallive.ie, first report
    Man arrested for brandishing knife on ATU Sligo campus

    First report of the incident; man arrested and detained at Sligo Garda Station; no injuries reported; pending further investigation.

    suspect, male
  2. 27 Feb2024
    Arrestedleitrimobserver.ie, follow-up
    ATU Sligo and Martin Kenny statements as man arrested for brandishing a knife on campus

    Adds official statements from ATU Sligo and TD Martin Kenny, confirms the suspect was taken into custody at Sligo Garda station, and includes an appeal for video footage to be sent directly to Gardaí rather than shared on social media.

    suspect, male