Wednesday 28 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. 2433Assault on a garda, criminal damage, production of a weapon · Co. Dublin · 23 Jan 2025

Man with machete charged at gardai in Hansfield, Dublin 15

Wesley Kinsella, 31, of Ballyconnell, Co Cavan, was remanded in custody at Dublin District Court after being charged with assaulting a garda, criminal damage to a patrol vehicle and production of a weapon, following an alleged machete-armed charge at three gardai during a domestic disturbance call in Hansfield, Dublin 15, on 23 January 2025.

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

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
19 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA man in his 30s charged at gardaí with a samurai sword in west Dublin (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe attack resulted in damage to a garda patrol car (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe man was wearing a dressing gown while pursuing the unarmed gardaí back to their patrol car (irishtimes.com)
  • 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)
  • whereThe incident took place in Castaheany, Dublin 15 (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe incident occurred on Thursday morning, 23 January 2025 (irishtimes.com)
  • 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)
  • chargeHe was charged with possession of an offensive weapon (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe man is due to appear before Dublin District Court (irishtimes.com)
  • 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
  2. 31 Jan2025
    Chargedirishtimes.com, follow-up
    Man who charged at gardaí with samurai sword charged

    Confirms the weapon was a samurai sword, specifies the location as Castaheany, notes the gardaí were called to arrest the man, and that he was wearing a dressing gown while pursuing them back to their patrol car.

    suspect, 30s, male