Saturday 31 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. 19578Possession of a knife · Co. Longford · 29 Apr 2023

Portuguese man pleads guilty to knife possession in Longford town

Carlos Da Silva Bernardo, a 35-year-old Portuguese man, was found with a two inch blade in his pocket at Townspark, Market Square, Longford, on April 29, 2023. Gardaí stopped him at around 5:15pm and he was arrested and taken to Longford garda station for questioning. He pleaded guilty at Longford District Court, where the case was adjourned to December 12. The judge allowed him to avoid a conviction by paying €300 to the court poor box, and the most recent step reported is the adjournment to December 12.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court6 Oct
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A 35-year-old Portuguese man was found with a knife in his pocket in Longford town.
Where
The incident happened at Townspark, Market Square, Longford.
When
The incident happened on April 29, 2023, when gardaí stopped the accused at around 5:15pm.
Weapon
The accused was found with a two inch blade in his pocket.
Investigation
The accused was arrested soon afterwards and taken to Longford garda station for questioning.
Cause
The accused believed he was doing nothing illegal because his brother-in-law bought the knife for him.
Other details
  • The accused was unaware he was committing a criminal offence by possessing the knife.
  • The accused was not before the courts on a drugs-related charge following the search.
  • The accused was in employment and was a father of one.
In court
The accused pleaded guilty at Longford District Court, and the case was adjourned until December 12.
Sentence
The judge allowed the accused to avoid a conviction by handing over €300 to the court poor box.
13 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA Portuguese man was caught with a knife in his pocket in Longford town. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whereThe incident happened at Townspark, Market Square, Longford. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whenThe incident happened on April 29, 2023. (longfordleader.ie)
  • weaponHe was found with a two inch blade in his pocket. (longfordleader.ie)
  • investigationGardaí stopped the accused at around 5:15pm. (longfordleader.ie)
  • investigationHe was arrested soon afterwards and taken to Longford garda station for questioning. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtThe accused pleaded guilty at Longford District Court. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtThe case was adjourned until December 12. (longfordleader.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge agreed to let him avoid a conviction by handing over €300 to the court poor box. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherThe accused believed he was doing nothing illegal because his brother-in-law bought the knife for him. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherThe accused was not before the courts on a drugs-related charge following the search. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherThe accused was unaware he was committing a criminal offence by possessing the knife. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherThe accused was in employment and was a father of one. (longfordleader.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 6 Oct2023
    In courtlongfordleader.ie, first report
    Man arrested in Longford with knife didn't think he was committing crime

    Court report on a knife possession case from April 2023. The accused pleaded guilty, but the judge allowed him to avoid a conviction by paying €300 to the court poor box. The case was adjourned to December 12.

    accused, Carlos Da Silva Bernardo, 35, male, Portuguese, named, non-irishCarlos Da Silva Bernardo