Ireland Crime

Named as

Accused

Born

Between June 2006 and March 2007, from the ages reported

Offences

Production of an article during a dispute and assault causing harm, Possession of a knife and drugs for personal use

Where

Co. Laois

Reporting

3 reports, 4 Mar 2026 to 14 Jun 2026

Outlets

leinsterexpress.ie

• Two men sent to circuit court over Portlaoise axe and knife Production of an article during a dispute and assault causing harm · Co. Laois

  On 4 December 2025, a woman was allegedly assaulted at Heather Lane, Esker Hills, Portlaoise, during a dispute in which an axe and a large kitchen knife were produced. Ashton Hurley O'Shea, a 19-year-old man, is accused of producing an axe, while Lorcan O'Brien, a 22-year-old man, is accused of producing a large kitchen knife and assault causing harm. O'Shea told gardaí he produced the axe because a man had tried to stab his mother. In April 2026, Judge Susan Fay declined jurisdiction after viewing CCTV footage, and the DPP directed the matter be dealt with on indictment. In June 2026, books of evidence were served at Portlaoise District Court and both men were sent forward to Portlaoise Circuit Court, with sittings beginning on 23 June.

  In court, 17 Apr 2026Accused · 2 reports
• Teenager admits knife and drugs possession in Portlaoise Possession of a knife and drugs for personal use · Co. Laois

  On 24 November 2025 Ashton O'Shea, a 19-year-old man from Knockmay, Portlaoise, admitted possessing drugs for personal use at Esker Hills. On 24 January 2026 he was stopped and searched at 5.10pm in Knockmay, where a garda sergeant said he had a small knife on him and a quantity of drugs was also found. He pleaded guilty at Portlaoise District Court to possessing a knife and drugs for personal use, in a court report published on 7 March 2026 (archive date 4 March 2026). The judge ordered a probation report, granted legal aid to his solicitor and adjourned the case to 23 March, and no sentence has been reported.

  In court, 4 Mar 2026Accused · 1 report

Each entry shows how that report described them.

1. 14 Jun2026
   In courtleinsterexpress.ie, in Two men sent to circuit court over Portlaoise axe and knife

   Axe and knife allegedly produced in dispute in Portlaoise

   accused, Ashton Hurley O'Shea, 19, named, irish (judged from name)Ashton Hurley O'Shea19IE
2. 17 Apr2026
   In courtleinsterexpress.ie, in Two men sent to circuit court over Portlaoise axe and knife

   Teenager who allegedly produced axe in Portlaoise told Gardaí man had tried to stab his mother

   accused, Ashton O'Shea, 19, male, named, irish (judged from name)Ashton O'Shea♂19IE
3. 4 Mar2026
   In courtleinsterexpress.ie, in Teenager admits knife and drugs possession in Portlaoise

   Teenager found with knife and drugs in Portlaoise

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

Matched on the name as printed, ignoring quoted nicknames, and split by the ages reported. Two people who share a name and age would appear together here.