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. 8997Possession of a knife · Co. Laois · 1 May 2026

Woman appears in court over knife possession in Portlaoise

Amy Young, a 19-year-old woman, is accused of possessing a knife at Kellyville Park, Portlaoise, County Laois, on Friday, May 1, 2026. It is alleged that a garda mobile patrol unit saw a knife passed to a female, and that gardaí who stopped and searched her found a four-inch knife with a black handle in her waistband; she told gardaí it was for her safety. She first appeared before Portlaoise District Court on May 26, 2026, when the case was adjourned to June 15. At the June 20, 2026 appearance she pleaded guilty, Judge Catherine Ryan ordered a probation suitability report, and she was remanded on continuing bail to September 21, 2026.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court26 May
    2 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Amy Young, a 19-year-old woman, is accused of possessing a knife in Portlaoise, County Laois.
Where
The alleged possession took place at Kellyville Park, Portlaoise.
When
The alleged possession happened on Friday, May 1, 2026.
Weapon
It is alleged that a four-inch kitchen knife with a black handle was found concealed in her waistband.
Investigation
  • A garda mobile patrol unit allegedly witnessed a knife being passed to a female, and gardaí then stopped and searched the woman.
  • The garda giving evidence is named as Garda Sergeant Jason Hughes in the May 26 report and as Sergeant JJ Kirby in the June 20 report.
Charges
Amy Young is accused of possession of a knife.
In court
  • On May 26, 2026, she appeared before a sitting of Portlaoise District Court, where the judge accepted jurisdiction and ordered disclosure, including any CCTV.
  • The case was adjourned to Portlaoise District Court on June 15.
  • At the June 20, 2026 court appearance, the accused pleaded guilty to the offence.
  • Judge Catherine Ryan ordered a probation suitability report.
  • The accused was remanded on continuing bail to September 21, 2026.
Other details
  • The accused told gardaí the knife was for her safety.
  • According to the case facts, the accused has not previously come to garda attention.
19 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA woman appeared in court accused of possessing a knife in Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereThe alleged possession happened at Kellyville Park, Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenThe alleged possession happened on May 1, 2026. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenThe knife was witnessed being passed to a female on Friday, May 1, 2026. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • weaponIt was alleged the woman had a four-inch kitchen knife in her possession. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • weaponA four-inch knife with a black handle was found concealed in her waistband. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationA garda mobile patrol unit witnessed a knife being passed to a female. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationGardaí stopped and searched the woman. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeAmy Young is accused of possession of a knife. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeAmy Young is accused of possessing a knife. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtShe appeared before a sitting of Portlaoise District Court. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe judge said she would accept jurisdiction in the case. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtDisclosure, including any CCTV, was ordered. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe case was adjourned back to Portlaoise District Court on June 15. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe accused pleaded guilty to the offence. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtJudge Ryan ordered a probation suitability report. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe accused was remanded on continuing bail to September 21. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe accused told gardaí the knife was for her safety. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe accused has not previously come to garda attention. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 20 Jun2026
    In courtleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Court hears woman had knife in waistband for safety purposes

    First report of the case. Covers the court appearance on 20 June 2026 (article published that day), where Judge Catherine Ryan ordered a probation suitability report and remanded the accused on continuing bail to 21 September.

    accused, Amy Young, 19, female, named, irish (judged from name)Amy Young
  2. 26 May2026
    In courtleinsterexpress.ie, follow-up
    Woman allegedly had knife in Portlaoise

    Adds the location (Kellyville Park, Portlaoise), the alleged weapon as a four-inch kitchen knife, the Garda Sergeant named as Jason Hughes, the judge's acceptance of jurisdiction, and the adjournment to June 15.

    accused, Amy Young, 19, female, named, irish (judged from name)Amy Young