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. 18885Robbery · Co. Kilkenny · 10 Jun 2022

Soldier given suspended sentence for knifepoint robbery of mother and children at Kilkenny City skatepark

On June 10, 2022, William Kelly pulled a knife on a mother and her two small sons as they walked through a skatepark in the middle of Kilkenny City just before 4pm. A DNA match and CCTV footage identified him, and he was on bail at the time of the offence. He pleaded guilty at Kilkenny Circuit Court to one count of robbery and four counts of theft, and Judge Dara Hayes imposed a fully suspended three-year sentence for the robbery with a peace bond and 12 months' Probation Service supervision, plus 120 hours' community service on each theft count. Reports of the sentencing were published in December 2023.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced13 Dec
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A man pulled a knife on a mother and her two small sons as they walked through a skatepark.
Where
The incident happened at a skatepark in the middle of Kilkenny City.
When
  • The incident occurred on June 10, 2022.
  • The victims were passing through the skatepark just before 4pm.
Cause
At the time of the offence, the offender was taking drugs, drinking and had a drug debt.
Weapon
The offender held a knife in his outstretched arm.
Investigation
A DNA match assisted the investigation, and the offender was identified on CCTV.
Charges
William Kelly pleaded guilty to one count of robbery and four counts of theft.
In court
The case was heard at Kilkenny Circuit Court before Judge Dara Hayes.
Sentence
  • For the robbery, he was sentenced to three years' imprisonment, fully suspended on condition he enter a three-year peace bond, and placed under Probation Service supervision for 12 months.
  • For each of the four theft charges, he was sentenced to 120 hours of community service in lieu of 12 months in prison.
Other details
  • He had 10 previous convictions, none for theft or robbery, and was on bail at the time of the offence.
  • He brought €500 to court by way of restitution; the reports are dated 13 and 14 December 2023.
14 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA man pulled a knife on a mother and two small boys in a skatepark. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whereThe incident happened at a skatepark in the middle of Kilkenny. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whenThe incident occurred on June 10, 2022. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whenThe victims were passing through the skate park just before 4pm. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • causeAt the time of the offence, the offender was taking drugs and drinking and had a drug debt. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • weaponThe offender held a knife in his outstretched arm. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • investigationA DNA match assisted the investigation, and the offender was identified on CCTV. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • chargeWilliam Kelly pleaded guilty to one count of robbery and four counts of theft. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • courtThe case was heard at Kilkenny Circuit Court. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • sentenceFor the robbery, the offender was sentenced to three years imprisonment, fully suspended on condition he enter a peace bond for three years, and placed under Probation Service supervision for 12 months. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • sentenceFor each of the four theft charges, the offender was sentenced to 120 hours of community service in lieu of 12 months in prison. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherThe offender had 10 previous convictions, none for theft or robbery. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherThe offender was on bail at the time of the offence. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherThe offender brought €500 to court by way of restitution. (kilkennypeople.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 13 Dec2023
    Sentencedkilkennypeople.ie, first report
    Soldier pulled knife on mum and two kids in Kilkenny City skatepark

    Court sentencing report. Gives the date of the incident, the knife, the charges Kelly pleaded guilty to, the sentences, and the defendant's prior record, bail status and restitution.

    convicted, William Kelly, male, named, irish (judged from name)William Kellyvictim, femalevictim, malevictim