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. 13874Possession of a stun gun (prohibited weapon) · Co. Offaly · 20 Dec 2024

Offaly woman pleads guilty to possessing stun gun disguised as torch

Agnieszka Bochenska (46) of Cloneygowan, Offaly, admitted having a combination stun gun and torch at her home on 20 December 2024. Gardaí found it in a bedroom during a search of the house. She pleaded guilty to possessing a stun gun, a prohibited weapon, at Portlaoise District Court, and reports of the plea were published in April 2025. The latest development is that the judge offered her the chance to avoid a conviction by paying €300 to the court poor box by June 9, with a conviction and €500 fine as the default if she does not pay.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court18 Apr
    2 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Agnieszka Bochenska, aged 46, pleaded guilty at Portlaoise District Court to possessing a stun gun.
Where
The stun gun was kept at her home at 13 Cluain na Greine, Cloneygowan, Portarlington, Offaly.
When
She admitted having the stun gun at her address on 20 December 2024.
Weapon
The item was a battery-operated combination stun gun and torch, and she had no charger for it.
Investigation
Gardaí searched the house and found the stun gun disguised as a torch in the bedroom.
Charges
She was charged with possession of a stun gun, a prohibited weapon.
In court
Reports of the guilty plea were published on 22 April 2025 (Leinster Express, listed as 18 April) and 29 April 2025 (Offaly Express).
Other details
  • Garda Sergeant Colin O'Leary said the defendant stated she did not know it was illegal to possess the item and had no previous convictions.
  • Counsel Paul Noctor BL said she received the stun gun as a gift while living in Poland.
  • The defendant was working at Fastway Couriers and wanted to apologise to the court.
Sentence
  • The judge offered her the chance to avoid a conviction if she paid €300 to the court poor box by June 9.
  • If the money is not paid, the default is a conviction and a €500 fine.
18 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA woman pleaded guilty to possessing a stun gun at Portlaoise District Court. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatAgnieszka Bochenska pleaded guilty to possessing a stun gun disguised as a torch. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whereThe stun gun was kept at her home in Cloneygowan, Offaly. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereThe stun gun and torch was at her address in Cloneygowan. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whenShe admitted having the stun gun at her address on 20 December 2024. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenThe possession was on December 20, 2024. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • investigationGardaí searched the house and found the stun gun disguised as a torch in the bedroom. (leinsterexpress.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtThe judge said she would give the woman an opportunity to avoid a conviction. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe judge said she would give the defendant an opportunity to avoid a conviction. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge wanted €300 paid to the court poor box by June 9. (leinsterexpress.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
  • sentenceIf the money is not paid, the default is a conviction and a €500 fine. (leinsterexpress.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe defendant said she did not know it was illegal to possess the stun gun. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe defendant had no previous convictions. (leinsterexpress.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe defendant said she received the stun gun as a gift while living in Poland. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe stun gun was battery operated and she had no charger for it. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe defendant stated that she did not know it was illegal to possess the item. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherHer solicitor said she received the item as a gift when living in Poland and that it was battery operated. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe defendant was working at Fastway Couriers and wanted to apologise to the court. (offalyexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 29 Apr2025
    In courtoffalyexpress.ie, first report
    Offaly woman pleads guilty to possession of a stun gun disguised as a torch

    Reports the guilty plea at Portlaoise District Court, the defendant's explanation, and the judge's offer to avoid a conviction through a payment to the poor box, with a default conviction and €500 fine.

    accused, Agnieszka Bochenska, 46, female, named, non-irish (judged from name)Agnieszka Bochenska
  2. 18 Apr2025
    In courtleinsterexpress.ie, follow-up
    Woman pleads guilty to stun gun possession at Portlaoise District Court

    Reports the guilty plea at Portlaoise District Court, the defence account of the item, and the judge's conditions: a €300 poor box payment by June 9, with a conviction and €500 fine as the default.

    accused, Agnieszka Bochenska, 46, female, namedAgnieszka Bochenska