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. 10034Production of an axe; assault · Co. Laois · 4 Dec 2025

Teenager accused of producing axe in Portlaoise remanded on bail

Ashton O'Shea (19) of Portlaoise, Co. Laois, is accused of assaulting someone at Laois Shopping Centre on November 30, 2025, and of producing an axe in Portlaoise on December 4, 2025. Sources differ on the axe location, giving either Heather Lane or Esker Hills at 7.10pm. Detective Sergeant Martin O'Connell gave evidence of the arrest and charge, and the accused told gardaí he produced the axe because someone had tried to stab his mother. In April 2026 Judge Susan Fay declined jurisdiction after viewing CCTV, and the accused was remanded on bail with a no-contact condition. He is due before Portlaoise District Court on June 8 for service of the book of evidence.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court17 Apr
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Ashton O'Shea, 19, of Knockmay, Portlaoise, is accused of producing an axe and of assault.
Where
  • The axe production is accused as taking place at Heather Lane, Portlaoise, but one report gives Esker Hills as the location.
  • The assault is accused as taking place at Laois Shopping Centre on November 30, 2025.
When
The axe production is accused as taking place on December 4, 2025, at 7.10pm according to one report.
Cause
The accused told gardaí he produced the axe because a man had tried to stab his mother.
Weapon
The weapon in the axe charge is an axe.
Investigation
Gardaí said the whole incident was captured on CCTV, and a video of it was played in court.
Charges
Det Sgt Martin O'Connell gave evidence of the arrest and charge, and the accused was charged with producing an axe.
In court
  • The DPP directed the case be heard in the district court only if there was a guilty plea, subject to the judge's approval.
  • Judge Susan Fay said she was not satisfied to accept jurisdiction after viewing the CCTV, and the defence asked her to reconsider, calling the matter borderline.
  • The accused was remanded on bail with a no-contact condition and ordered to appear before Portlaoise District Court on June 8 for service of the book of evidence.
Other details
The defence said no injury had been inflicted, and there had been an earlier assault on the accused's mother.
12 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereAshton O’Shea is accused of producing an axe at Heather Lane, Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereIt was alleged that the accused produced an axe at Esker Hills at 7.10pm on the date in question. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenThe axe production is alleged to have happened on December 4, 2025. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • causeThe accused told gardaí he produced the axe because someone had tried to stab his mother. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationGardaí said the whole incident was captured on CCTV. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeHe is further accused of assault at Laois Shopping Centre on November 30, 2025. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe DPP directed that the case be heard in the district court only if there was a guilty plea, subject to the judge's approval. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtJudge Susan Fay said she was not satisfied to accept jurisdiction after viewing the CCTV. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe defence asked the judge to reconsider and described the matter as borderline. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe accused was remanded on bail with a no-contact condition and ordered to appear before Portlaoise District Court on June 8 for service of the book of evidence. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThere had been an earlier assault on the accused's mother. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe defence said no injury had been inflicted. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 17 Apr2026
    In courtleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Teenager who allegedly produced axe in Portlaoise told Gardaí man had tried to stab his mother

    Court report on a bail and jurisdiction hearing. The judge declined jurisdiction after viewing CCTV, and the accused was remanded on bail with a no-contact condition. The accused told gardaí he produced the axe because a man had tried to stab his mother. The article gives Esker Hills at 7.10pm as the alleged location and time of the axe incident, which differs from the Heather Lane location in the charge.

    accused, Ashton O'Shea, 19, male, named, irish (judged from name)Ashton O'Shea