Thursday 5 November 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. 30124Possession of an offensive weapon (knife) · Co. Laois · 21 Mar 2020

Man sentenced over knife possession in Portlaoise

On 21 March 2020, Gardaí observed two men acting suspiciously on Mountrath Road, Portlaoise, and a search revealed a folding knife on Jason Crean, a 45-year-old man. He was charged with possession of a knife at Bellingham, Mountrath Road, Portlaoise. At Portlaoise District Court, Judge Bernadette Owens applied the Probation Act Section 1(2) after defence counsel highlighted his substance abuse history, homelessness, and current engagement with the Simon community and CADS while on methadone.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced10 Sep
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A search revealed a folding knife on Jason Crean after Gardaí observed two men acting suspiciously.
Where
Bellingham, Mountrath Road, Portlaoise, Laois.
When
21 March 2020.
Charges
Jason Crean was charged with possession of a knife.
In court
Judge Bernadette Owens heard the case at Portlaoise District Court.
Sentence
Judge Owens applied the Probation Act Section 1(2).
Other details
  • Crean said the knife was for his own protection and that he was cooperative.
  • Crean is a 45-year-old man with seven children who had difficulty with substance abuse.
  • Crean had gone to the west of Ireland to work on a farm, became homeless, and returned to Portlaoise.
  • Crean had liaised with the Simon community and CADS and was on 60 mls of methadone.
  • Crean had not come to the attention of the court in recent times.
12 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA search revealed a folding knife on Jason Crean. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationGardaí observed two men acting suspiciously on the Mountrath Road, Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeJason Crean was charged with possession of a knife at Bellingham, Mountrath Road, Portlaoise on 21 March 2020. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceJudge Bernadette Owens applied the Probation Act Section 1(2). (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherCrean said the knife was for his own protection and he was cooperative. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherCrean is a 45-year-old man with seven children. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherCrean had difficulty with substance abuse and had gone to the west of Ireland to work on a farm. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherHis farm situation ended and he was rendered homeless before returning to Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherCrean had been using drugs and his difficulty arose from this. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherCrean appreciated the dangers of carrying the knife and indicated he would never do it again. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherCrean had liaised with the Simon community and CADS and was on 60 mls of methadone. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherCrean had not come to the attention of the court in recent times. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 10 Sep2021
    Sentencedleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Man found carrying knife in Laois town

    Court disposal: Judge Bernadette Owens applied the Probation Act Section 1(2). Defence highlighted substance abuse history, homelessness, and current engagement with the Simon community and CADS while on methadone.

    accused, Jason Crean, 45, male, named, irish (judged from name)Jason Crean