Ireland Teenager arrested with knife outside Portlaoise church
On the afternoon of Saturday 17 May 2025, at around 3pm, Gardaí arrested a young male approximately 16 at SS Peter and Paul's Church in Portlaoise, Laois, while Communions were taking place. Gardaí said a large kitchen knife was recovered from the church grounds, that two gardaí in the area detained the teenager, and that nobody was injured. The arrest was reported on 23 May 2025. A file has since been sent to the Juvenile Liaison Officer, and the sources report no charge.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrested23 May
2 reports - Charged
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Gardaí arrested a teenager who was armed with a large kitchen knife on the grounds of a church in Laois.
- Where
- The incident happened at SS Peter and Paul's Church in Portlaoise while Communions were taking place.
- When
- The incident happened on the afternoon of Saturday 17 May 2025 at around 3pm.
- The arrest was reported in the media on 23 May 2025.
- Other details
- Gardaí describe the arrested person as a young male approximately 16, while one eyewitness said they saw a man outside the church with a huge knife as children were walking out.
- Gardaí said nobody was injured during the incident.
- Weapon
- A large kitchen knife was recovered from the church grounds.
- Investigation
- A teenage boy was arrested at the scene and detained by two gardaí who were in the area.
- A file has been sent to the Juvenile Liaison Officer.
- Charges
- The sources do not report any charge.
16 statements extracted from the articles
- whatGardaí arrested a teenager who was armed with a large kitchen knife on the grounds of a church in Laois. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatOne eyewitness said they saw a man outside the church with a huge knife as children were walking out. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whereThe incident happened at SS Peter and Paul's Church in Portlaoise while Communions were taking place. (leinsterexpress.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
- whenThe incident happened on the afternoon of Saturday 17 May at around 3pm. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whenThe incident happened on the afternoon of Saturday 17 May 2025 at around 3pm. (offalyexpress.ie)
- weaponThe teenager was armed with a large kitchen knife. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- weaponA kitchen knife was recovered from the church grounds. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- weaponA kitchen knife was recovered. (offalyexpress.ie)
- investigationA teenage boy was arrested at the scene. (leinsterexpress.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
- investigationA file has been sent to the Juvenile Liaison Officer. (leinsterexpress.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
- otherA witness said they saw a man outside the church with a huge knife as children were walking out. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherThe arrested person was described as a young male approximately 16. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherThe teenager was detained by two gardaí who were in the area. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherGardaí said nobody was injured during the incident. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherGardaí said a young male approximately 16 was arrested on the grounds of the church. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherNobody was injured during the incident. (offalyexpress.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 23 May2025Gardaí arrest teenager armed with 'huge knife' at large church in the Midlands
First report of this incident. Gardaí say a young male of approximately 16 was arrested, while one eyewitness described a man outside the church with a huge knife.
suspect, approximately 16, male - 23 May2025Gardaí arrest teenager armed with knife at Laois church
Adds the time (around 3pm) during Communions, an eyewitness account of a man outside the church with a large knife, that two gardaí in the area detained the teenager, and that Gardaí said nobody was injured.
suspect, approximately 16, male