Ireland Man given one last chance over knife threat and criminal damage in Portlaoise
Slawomir Ignatowicz, 54, of Portlaoise, admitted to possession of a knife and criminal damage to a garda van following an incident at his home on 26 March 2022 in which he threatened a woman while wielding a fillet knife and attempted to bite and headbutt gardai. Judge Andrew Cody adjourned the case to 21 September 2023, giving him one opportunity to address his alcohol and aggression issues before sentencing him to six months on each charge.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court10 Feb
4 reports - Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports36 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe defendant was highly intoxicated and threatening a female when gardai attended (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatThe man walked to the front door carrying a large fillet knife (leinsterexpress.ie, offalyexpress.ie, longfordleader.ie)
- whatHe tried to bite and headbutt gardai while being arrested (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatHe spat blood on the floor and seat of the Garda van (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatThe man had been working with a knife when the incident occurred (leinsterexpress.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
- whatWhile being arrested, the defendant tried to bite and headbutt gardai. (offalyexpress.ie, longfordleader.ie)
- whatThe man spat blood on the floor and seat of the Garda van. (offalyexpress.ie, longfordleader.ie)
- whatThe defendant had been working with a knife when the incident occurred. (longfordleader.ie)
- whatThe defendant tried to bite and headbutt gardai while being arrested. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whenThe incident occurred at 7.15pm (leinsterexpress.ie, offalyexpress.ie, longfordleader.ie)
- courtJudge Cody adjourned the case to 21 September (leinsterexpress.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
- courtThe judge ordered a probation report (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtJudge Cody ordered a probation report. (offalyexpress.ie, longfordleader.ie)
- courtThe case was adjourned to 21 September. (offalyexpress.ie)
- sentenceIf he fails to address his issues, the judge would sentence him to six months in custody on each of the two charges (leinsterexpress.ie)
- sentenceIf the defendant does not address his issues, Judge Cody said he would sentence him to six months in custody on each of the two charges. (offalyexpress.ie)
- sentenceIf the defendant fails to address his issues, Judge Cody said he would sentence him to six months in custody on each of the two charges. (longfordleader.ie)
- sentenceIf the man does not address his issues, Judge Cody would sentence him to six months in custody on each of the two charges. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherHe has 16 previous convictions (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherThe man brought €300 to court (leinsterexpress.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
- otherHe was accompanied in court by his wife and children (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherHe has an over reliance on alcohol (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherHe had suffered a work injury in 2010 (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherThe €300 was to be donated to the Cara Curley Foundation (leinsterexpress.ie, offalyexpress.ie, longfordleader.ie)
- otherThe defendant has 16 previous convictions. (offalyexpress.ie, longfordleader.ie)
- otherThe defendant brought €300 to court. (offalyexpress.ie, longfordleader.ie)
- otherThe defendant was accompanied in court by his wife and children. (offalyexpress.ie, longfordleader.ie)
- otherThe defendant has an over-reliance on alcohol. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherThe defendant has contacted a doctor. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherThe defendant suffered a work injury in 2010. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherJudge Cody described the man as having a problem with aggression and with a female. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherThe defendant has contacted a doctor and suffered a work injury in 2010. (longfordleader.ie)
- otherThe man has an over-reliance on alcohol. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherThe man has contacted a doctor and suffered a work injury in 2010. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherJudge Cody described the man as having issues with drink and aggression. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherThe man was accompanied in court by his wife and children. (offalyexpress.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 18 Feb2023One last chance for man in the Midlands who threatened a woman while wielding a knife
Court hearing at which the defendant admitted charges; case adjourned to 21 September 2023 to allow him to address alcohol and aggression issues, with a warning of six months on each charge if he fails.
accused, Slawomir Ignatowicz, 54, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Slawomir Ignatowiczvictim, female - 14 Feb2023One last chance for man in the Midlands who threatened a woman while wielding a knife and attempted to bite gardai
Provides full court details: the defendant's address, the time of the incident (7.15pm), his intoxication, the weapon (large fillet knife), his 16 previous convictions, his solicitor's mitigation (over-reliance on alcohol, work injury in 2010, wife and children in court), Judge Cody's comments on aggression and alcohol, the adjournment to 21 September, the warning of six months per charge, a probation report, and the €300 donation to the Cara Curley Foundation.
victim, femalesuspect, Slawomir Ignatowicz, 54, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Slawomir Ignatowicz - 14 Feb2023One last chance for man in the Midlands who threatened a woman while wielding a knife and attempted to bite gardai
Provides full court detail: Sgt JJ Kirby's evidence of the 7.15pm incident, the defendant's 16 previous convictions, his solicitor's mitigation (alcohol reliance, work injury in 2010, family support, €300 brought to court), Judge Cody's comments on aggression and women in coffins, the adjournment to 21 September with a warning of six months on each charge, a probation report ordered, and the €300 directed to the Cara Curley Foundation.
victim, femaleaccused, Slawomir Ignatowicz, 54, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Slawomir Ignatowicz - 10 Feb2023Attempted to bite Gardai in Portlaoise
Provides full court details including witness evidence from Sgt JJ Kirby, defence submissions by solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick, Judge Cody's comments on aggression and alcohol, the adjournment to 21 September 2023, the warning of six months on each charge, and the €300 donation to the Cara Curley Foundation.
victim, femalesuspect, Slawomir Ignatowicz, 54, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Slawomir Ignatowicz