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. 14361Possession of a hatchet and assault causing harm · Co. Laois · 18 Aug 2022

Scott Finnerty accused of possessing a hatchet and assault causing harm in Mountmellick

On 18 August 2022, Scott Finnerty, a 20-year-old man with an address in Mountmellick, Co. Laois, is accused of possessing a hatchet and assault causing harm at Church Street, Mountmellick. He appeared before Portlaoise District Court, where a garda gave evidence of serving him a book of evidence. The DPP directed that he be sent forward for trial to Portlaoise Circuit Court, and the judge granted legal aid for a solicitor and one counsel. The latest development, reported on 3 March 2025, is that he was remanded on bail to appear before the current sittings of Portlaoise Circuit Court for mention.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court3 Mar
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Scott Finnerty, aged 20, of Horan House, Patrick Street, Mountmellick, is accused of possessing a hatchet and assault causing harm.
Where
The alleged offences took place at Church Street, Mountmellick, County Laois.
When
The alleged offences took place on 18 August 2022.
Weapon
The accused is accused of possessing a hatchet.
Charges
The accused is charged with possession of a hatchet and, as a second count, assault causing harm.
In court
  • The accused appeared before Portlaoise District Court.
  • The DPP directed that the accused be sent forward for trial to the current sittings of Portlaoise Circuit Court.
  • The judge granted legal aid for a solicitor and one counsel.
  • The accused was remanded on bail to appear before the current sittings of Portlaoise Circuit Court for mention.
Investigation
A garda gave evidence of serving a book of evidence on the accused at a sitting of Portlaoise District Court.
Other details
The court appearance was reported by leinsterexpress.ie on 3 March 2025.
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe alleged offences took place at Church Street, Mountmellick. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenThe alleged offences took place on 18 August 2022. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • weaponThe accused is accused of possessing a hatchet. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeThe accused is charged with possession of a hatchet and assault causing harm. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeThe second count is assault causing harm. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe accused appeared before Portlaoise District Court. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe DPP directed that the accused be sent forward for trial to the current sittings of Portlaoise Circuit Court. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe judge granted legal aid for a solicitor and one counsel. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe accused was remanded on bail to appear before the current sittings of Portlaoise Circuit Court for mention. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherA book of evidence was served on the accused by a garda. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 3 Mar2025
    In courtleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Accused of possessing a hatchet and assault causing harm in Laois

    Reports a Portlaoise District Court appearance: a book of evidence was served, the DPP directed the case be sent forward for trial to Portlaoise Circuit Court, and the accused was remanded on bail.

    accused, Scott Finnerty, 20, male, named, irish (judged from name)Scott Finnerty