Thursday 29 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. 11480Producing a knife in a public place · Co. Laois · 17 May 2025

Teen appears in court over large knife at Portlaoise church

A 17-year-old boy appeared before Portlaoise District Court, accused of producing a large kitchen knife at St Peter and Paul's Church in Portlaoise on May 17, 2025. He is pleading guilty, and the judge ordered a probation and welfare report and remanded him on bail.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court16 Jan
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
12 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe incident is alleged to have happened at St Peter and Paul's Church in Portlaoise. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whenThe incident is alleged to have happened on May 17, 2025. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • weaponGardaí said a youth ran at a man carrying a large silver kitchen knife. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • investigationGarda Detectives were on routine patrol when they noticed a large gathering outside the church. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtThe boy's solicitor said he was pleading guilty to the offence. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtThe judge ordered a probation and welfare report and remanded the boy on bail. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtThe case was adjourned to Portlaoise District Court on March 26. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherGardaí sounded their sirens and the crowd dispersed. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherGardaí said the bare chested man was being verbally aggressive. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe defence said the boy was 16 at the time of the incident. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe defence said the knife was in a car and was intended to cut the communion cake. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe boy had no previous convictions. (offalyexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 16 Jan2026
    In courtoffalyexpress.ie, first report
    Teen had large knife at church in Midlands to 'cut communion cake'

    First report of the case. Covers the Portlaoise District Court appearance, the guilty plea, the defence account that the knife was for cutting a communion cake, and the adjournment to March 26.

    accused, 17, male