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. 13408Possession of a knife · Co. Laois · 7 May 2025

Man jailed for carrying knife in Portlaoise

Damian Fiodorowicz, a 43-year-old man, was arrested at around 1.30pm on 7 May 2025 after gardaí searched him on the Dublin Road in Portlaoise, Co Laois, and found a Swiss army knife, which gardaí described as a switchblade. He admitted having the knife, and his solicitor said he carried it for his own protection; gardaí said he had 44 previous convictions and he was serving a sentence for burglary at the time. At Portlaoise District Court, Judge Susan Fay imposed a one-month prison sentence from the date of the sitting and issued a destruction order for the knife. The sentence was reported in June 2025, which is the latest development in the case.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced20 Jun
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Damian Fiodorowicz, 43, admitted having a Swiss army knife, which Garda Sgt JJ Kirby described as a Swiss army switchblade.
Where
The offence took place on the Dublin Road, Portlaoise, Co Laois.
When
The offence took place on 7 May 2025.
Cause
The defendant said he had the knife for his own protection.
Investigation
He was searched after being observed behaving suspiciously and was arrested at around 1.30pm.
Other details
  • Gardaí said the defendant had 44 previous convictions.
  • He was serving a sentence for burglary, with a release date of 3 September 2025.
  • His solicitor, Barry Fitzgerald, said the knife was a form of protection and that the defendant was not looking for trouble.
In court
Portlaoise District Court heard the case, and the solicitor asked that it be finalised without extending the release date.
Sentence
  • Judge Susan Fay imposed a one-month prison sentence from the date of the court sitting.
  • A destruction order was issued for the knife.
14 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatDamian Fiodorowicz admitted having a Swiss army knife on the Dublin Road, Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatThe defendant was found in possession of a Swiss army switchblade. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereThe offence took place on the Dublin Road, Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenThe offence took place on 7 May 2025. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • causeThe man had a knife for his own protection. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationThe defendant was searched after being observed behaving suspiciously. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationThe defendant was arrested at around 1.30pm on the date in question. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe solicitor asked the court to finalise the case without extending the defendant's release date. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceJudge Susan Fay imposed a one-month prison sentence from the date of the court sitting. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceA destruction order was issued for the knife. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe defendant had 44 previous convictions. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe defendant was serving a sentence for burglary at the time. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe defendant had a release date of September 3, 2025. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe defendant's solicitor said the knife was a form of protection and that the defendant was not looking for trouble. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 20 Jun2025
    Sentencedleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Jail sentence for carrying knife in Laois

    Reports the one-month prison sentence, the destruction order for the knife, the arrest details, and the defendant's previous convictions and release date.

    convicted, Damian Fiodorowicz, 43, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Damian Fiodorowicz