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. 10603Criminal damage; possession of a knife · Co. Laois

Man charged with criminal damage and knife possession after Portlaoise window smashed

CCTV on Main Street, Portlaoise, showed a man with a knife in his hand on 26 January, and he was then recorded picking up a rock and smashing a window before driving away in his car. Gardaí tracked the car's registration to his address, where Oto Danhel, a 50-year-old man, was arrested. At the local district court in Portlaoise, reported on 6 March 2026, he was charged with criminal damage and possessing a knife and pleaded guilty to both, and the judge directed him to take part in the Restorative Justice Programme, undergo a probation report and gather compensation. The latest development is that he was remanded on continuing bail to the 6 July sitting of the court for finalisation.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court6 Mar
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • CCTV footage showed a man with a knife in his hand on Main Street, Portlaoise.
  • The man picked up a rock and smashed a window.
  • The man got into his car and drove away.
Where
The incident happened on Main Street, Portlaoise, County Laois.
When
The CCTV footage was from 26 January; the year is not stated in the article.
Investigation
  • The car's registration was captured, and gardaí tracked the man down at his address, where he was arrested.
  • The judge asked gardaí to obtain a statement from the victim in the meantime.
Charges
He was charged with criminal damage and with possessing a knife.
In court
  • He pleaded guilty to criminal damage and to possessing a knife at the time.
  • Gardaí said he had three previous road traffic convictions dating back to 2009, while his barrister said his previous convictions are considered spent.
  • He was remanded on continuing bail to the 6 July sitting of the court for finalisation.
  • His barrister applied for free legal aid, which was granted.
Sentence
No sentence was reported; the judge directed him to take part in the Restorative Justice Programme, undergo a probation report and gather compensation for the damage.
Other details
The suspect is named as Oto Danhel, aged 50, of Hawthorn Way, Esker.
14 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe man was captured on CCTV with a knife in his hand. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatThe man picked up a rock and smashed a window. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatThe man got into his car and drove away. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereThe incident happened on Main Street, Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenCCTV from Main Street on 26 January showed a man with a knife in his hand. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationThe car's registration was captured, which allowed gardaí to track the man down at his address, where he was arrested. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationThe judge asked gardaí to obtain a statement from the victim in the meantime. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeHe came before the district court charged with criminal damage and possessing a knife. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtHe pleaded guilty to criminal damage and to possessing a knife at the time. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtGardaí said he had three previous road traffic convictions dating back to 2009. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtHis barrister said his previous convictions are considered spent. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe judge directed him to take part in the Restorative Justice Programme, undergo a probation report and gather compensation for the damage. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtHe was remanded on continuing bail to the 6 July sitting of the court for finalisation. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtHis barrister applied for free legal aid, which was granted. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 6 Mar2026
    In courtleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Laois man captured on CCTV with knife and smashing window

    First report of the case. Adds the court appearance: guilty pleas to criminal damage and knife possession, the judge's directions, and the adjournment to 6 July. The year of the 26 January incident is not stated in the article.

    accused, Oto Danhel, 50, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Oto Danhel