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. 8684Assault on a garda, criminal damage, production of a weapon · Co. Dublin · 23 Jan 2025

Man charged with machete-related offences denied bail over Dublin incident

Wesley Kinsella, a 31-year-old man from Ballyconnell, Co Cavan, is accused of an incident on 23 January 2025 at Lachford Square, Hansfield, Dublin 15, where three gardaí responding to a domestic disturbance call were confronted and a patrol vehicle was damaged. It is alleged that he used a machete, damaged the vehicle and tried to intimidate officers, and he was arrested about a week later after presenting at Cavan Garda station. He was charged with assaulting a garda in the course of his duty, criminal damage to a patrol vehicle and production of a weapon. On 31 January 2025 he was denied bail at Dublin District Court, and Judge Michael Ramsey remanded him in custody; the case is expected to be heard in the Circuit Court, and he is due back before the court on Thursday.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Charged31 Jan
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Three gardaí, including a trainee officer, responded to a domestic disturbance call from a woman in distress who wanted her ex-partner removed from her property.
  • A garda told the court that officers fled when a man with a machete charged at them, and that the accused allegedly tried to intimidate officers.
Where
The incident happened at Lachford Square, Hansfield, Dublin 15.
When
The incident occurred on 23 January 2025.
Weapon
  • The accused allegedly used a machete to damage the wing mirror, rear passenger side door handle and window of the patrol vehicle.
  • In interview the accused admitted possessing a weapon and said he charged at gardaí, but did not specifically say it was a machete, and no weapon has been retrieved.
Investigation
  • The accused was arrested about a week after the incident after presenting himself at Cavan Garda station.
  • CCTV evidence of excellent quality was obtained showing a person chasing another with a machete and damaging the vehicle, but it was not played at the bail hearing.
  • Gardaí are to prepare an investigation file for the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Charges
The accused was charged with assaulting a garda in the course of his duty, criminal damage to a patrol vehicle and production of a weapon.
In court
  • A garda objected to bail due to the seriousness of the case and fears that the accused poses a risk to public safety.
  • On 31 January 2025 the accused was denied bail at Dublin District Court, and Judge Michael Ramsey remanded him in custody to appear again on Thursday.
  • The case is expected to be dealt with in the Circuit Court.
Other details
The accused had lived in Wales for four years before returning in late 2023 to live with his parents in Cavan, and is a father of one.
12 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThree gardai, including a trainee officer, responded to a domestic disturbance call from a female in distress who wanted her ex-partner removed from her property. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe accused allegedly used the weapon to damage the wing mirror, rear passenger side door handle and window of the patrol vehicle. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatIn his interview, Kinsella admitted possessing a weapon but did not specifically say it was a machete, and said he did charge at gardai. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe incident occurred on 23 January 2025 at Lachford Square, Hansfield, Dublin 15. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationKinsella was arrested a week later after presenting himself at Cavan Garda station. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationExcellent quality CCTV evidence was obtained showing a person chasing a person with a machete and damaging the vehicle, but it was not played during the bail hearing. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationNo weapon has been retrieved. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationGardaí are to prepare an investigation file for the Director of Public Prosecutions. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtJudge Michael Ramsey remanded Kinsella in custody to appear again on Thursday. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe case is expected to be dealt with in the Circuit Court. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherKinsella had lived in Wales for four years before returning in late 2023 and living with his parents in Cavan. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherKinsella is a father of one. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 31 Jan2025
    Chargedirishmirror.ie, first report
    Gardai 'fled for their lives' when man with machete charged at them

    Bail hearing details including Garda Sean Riordan's testimony about the confrontation, the machete, vehicle damage, CCTV evidence, and Judge Ramsey's remand decision.

    accused, Wesley Kinsella, 31, male, named, irish (judged from name)Wesley Kinsellavictim, femalevictim, Sean Riordan, male, irish (judged from name)Sean Riordan