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. 13957Possession of a knife · Co. Offaly · 21 Mar 2025

Offaly woman pleads guilty to possessing a knife in Kilcruttin

Helen Ward, a 34-year-old woman from Bay 16, Kilcruttin Halting Site, Tullamore, County Offaly, was stopped by gardaí while driving to the shops in Kilcruttin on 21 March 2025. She pleaded guilty to possessing a knife with a sharply pointed blade at Tullamore Court during the sitting in the week before 17 April 2025. Judge Andrew Cody ordered 80 hours of community service, to be completed within 12 months, in lieu of a prison sentence, and ordered the knife destroyed. The sentence was reported on 17 April 2025.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced17 Apr
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Helen Ward pleaded guilty to being in possession of a knife.
Where
The offence took place in Kilcruttin, Tullamore, County Offaly.
When
The offence was committed on 21 March 2025.
Weapon
The knife had a sharply pointed blade.
Investigation
Gardaí stopped Helen Ward while she was driving to the shops.
Charges
Helen Ward pleaded guilty to being in possession of a knife.
In court
The plea was entered at Tullamore Court during the previous week's sitting.
Sentence
  • Judge Andrew Cody ordered 80 hours of community service in lieu of a prison sentence.
  • The community service must be completed within 12 months.
  • The judge ordered the knife destroyed.
Other details
  • The defence said Helen Ward was driving her husband's jeep to the shops and was not aware the knife was in the vehicle.
  • The defence said Helen Ward is 34, has six children and had never been in trouble before.
  • The judge noted the offence happened on the same night gardaí responded to a report of shots fired at a residence in Kilcruttin.
12 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe offence took place in Kilcruttin, Tullamore, County Offaly. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whenThe offence was committed on 21 March 2025. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • weaponThe knife had a sharply pointed blade. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • investigationThe woman was stopped by gardaí while driving to the shops. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • chargeThe woman pleaded guilty to being in possession of a knife. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtThe plea was entered at Tullamore Court during the previous week's sitting. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • sentenceJudge Cody ordered 80 hours of community service in lieu of a prison sentence. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • sentenceThe community service must be completed within 12 months. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge ordered the knife destroyed. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe defence said the woman was driving her husband's jeep to the shops. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe defence said the woman was not aware the knife was in the vehicle. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe defence said the woman is 34, has six children and had never been in trouble before. (offalyexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 17 Apr2025
    Sentencedoffalyexpress.ie, first report
    Offaly woman pleads guilty to being in possession of a knife

    Reports the guilty plea, the sentence of 80 hours' community service within 12 months and the order destroying the knife. No existing case matches this one.

    convicted, Helen Ward, 34, female, named, irish (judged from name)Helen Ward