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. 14001Production of an offensive weapon · Co. Louth · 9 Apr 2021

Two Dundalk neighbours sentenced over slash hook and knife incident

On 9 April 2021, two neighbours, Leigh Kearney (29) and Kaylem Kearney (26), produced a slash hook and a knife during a minor dispute in O'Hanlon Park, Dundalk, Co. Louth, after gardaí received a report shortly before 2.30pm. Both men were charged with producing an offensive weapon and pleaded guilty, though the DPP had directed the case could be dealt with at district court level and jurisdiction there was refused. Kaylem Kearney was given a 12-month suspended sentence and Leigh Kearney a 15-month sentence, which Dundalk District Court heard and which were reported in April 2025, the latest development in the case.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced10 Apr
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Two men produced a slash hook and a knife during a dispute between neighbours.
  • Gardaí received a report of men running around with weapons in O'Hanlon Park, and one witness said Leigh Kearney, who had a knife, shouted abuse at her and banged on a bonnet.
  • Kaylem Kearney came out of a house with a slash hook and chased a young man around the corner with it.
Where
The incident took place in O'Hanlon Park, Dundalk, Co. Louth, where both men had addresses at the time.
When
The incident took place on 9 April 2021, with the garda report made shortly before 2.30pm.
Cause
The incident was linked to a minor dispute between neighbours that got out of hand.
Weapon
A slash hook and a knife were produced.
Investigation
CCTV footage showed both men with the weapons.
Charges
Both men pleaded guilty to producing an offensive weapon arising out of the incident.
In court
  • The DPP had directed the case could be dealt with at district court level on a guilty plea, but jurisdiction was refused.
  • A statement of complaint was withdrawn, but the case proceeded.
Sentence
  • Kaylem Kearney was given a 12-month suspended sentence.
  • Leigh Kearney was given a 15-month sentence because of his previous relevant offending.
Other details
  • Kaylem Kearney had no previous convictions and had not come to garda attention since.
  • Leigh Kearney had nine previous convictions.
16 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatTwo men produced a slash hook and a knife during a dispute between neighbours. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatGardaí received a report of men running around with weapons in O'Hanlon Park. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatKaylem Kearney came out of a house with a slash and chased a young man around the corner with it. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatLeigh Kearney had a knife, started shouting abuse at a woman and banged on a bonnet. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whereThe two men had addresses at O'Hanlon Park, Dundalk. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whenThe incident took place on 9 April 2021. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • causeThe incident was linked to a minor dispute between neighbours. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • weaponA slash hook and a knife were produced. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • investigationCCTV footage showed both men with the weapons. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • chargeBoth men pleaded guilty to producing an offensive weapon arising out of the incident. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtThe DPP had directed the case could be dealt with at district court level on a guilty plea, but jurisdiction had been refused. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • sentenceKaylem Kearney was given a 12-month suspended sentence. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • sentenceLeigh Kearney was given a 15-month sentence because of his previous relevant offending. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • otherA statement of complaint was withdrawn, but the case proceeded. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • otherKaylem Kearney had no previous convictions and had not come to garda attention since. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • otherLeigh Kearney had nine previous convictions. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 10 Apr2025
    Sentenceddundalkdemocrat.ie, first report
    Slash hook and knife produced during dispute between neighbours in Louth

    Reports the guilty pleas and sentences in a 2021 neighbour dispute case in Dundalk. This is a different incident from case 9616, the September 2024 Dundalk aggravated burglary involving a Leigh Kearney, so no case match is made.

    convicted, Leigh Kearney, 29, male, named, irish (judged from name)Leigh Kearneyconvicted, Kaylem Kearney, 26, male, named, irish (judged from name)Kaylem Kearney