Friday 30 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. 14844Possession of pepper spray · Co. Kildare · 18 Aug 2022

Man bound to the peace over pepper spray possession in Naas

On 18 August 2022, a man, Jonathan Blanchfield, 44, was charged with possession of pepper spray at Basin Street, Naas, County Kildare, after gardaí said they became suspicious when they saw him fumbling his pockets. His solicitor said he had told gardaí that he found the pepper spray. The case was heard at Naas District Court and reported on 22 January 2025, when he told the judge he had started taking drugs at 13 and had been opiate free for 18 months. The latest development is that he was bound to the peace for 12 months.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court22 Jan
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Jonathan Blanchfield, a man aged 44, was charged with possession of pepper spray.
Where
The incident took place at Basin Street, Naas, County Kildare.
When
The incident took place on 18 August 2022.
Weapon
The item in the charge was pepper spray.
Charges
The charge concerned possession of pepper spray.
Investigation
Gardaí said they became suspicious when they saw the defendant fumbling his pockets.
Other details
  • The defence solicitor said the defendant told gardaí that he found the pepper spray.
  • The case was reported by Kildare Now on 22 January 2025.
  • The defendant told the court he started taking drugs at the age of 13.
  • The defendant said he has been opiate free for 18 months.
In court
The case was heard at Naas District Court before Judge Desmond Zaidan.
Sentence
The defendant was bound to the peace for 12 months.
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatJonathan Blanchfield, 44, was prosecuted for having pepper spray. (kildarenow.com)
  • whereThe incident happened at Basin Street, Naas. (kildarenow.com)
  • whenThe incident happened on 18 August 2022. (kildarenow.com)
  • weaponThe item in the charge was pepper spray. (kildarenow.com)
  • investigationGardaí became suspicious when they saw the defendant fumbling his pockets. (kildarenow.com)
  • courtThe case was heard at Naas District Court. (kildarenow.com)
  • sentenceThe defendant was bound to the peace for 12 months. (kildarenow.com)
  • otherThe defence solicitor said the defendant told gardaí he found the pepper spray. (kildarenow.com)
  • otherThe defendant told the court he started taking drugs at 13. (kildarenow.com)
  • otherThe defendant said he has been opiate free for 18 months. (kildarenow.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 22 Jan2025
    In courtkildarenow.com, first report
    KILDARE COURT: Man started taking drugs at the age of 13

    First report of this case in the sources. Adds the court appearance, the defendant's account of finding the pepper spray, and the court outcome of being bound to the peace for 12 months.

    accused, Jonathan Blanchfield, 44, male, named, irish (judged from name)Jonathan Blanchfield