Ardee youth found with a meat cleaver in Dundalk
A man spotted with an imitation gun outside a local shop was subsequently apprehended on a stolen bicycle while in possession of a meat cleaver.
Jeff Lesley (19), 3 John Street, Ardee, pleaded guilty to a number of charges arising out of incidents which occurred along Dublin Road, Dundalk, last year.
He admitted having a realistic imitation firearm without lawful authority or reasonable excuse at Greengates; possessing a stolen mountain bike, having a screwdriver adapted for use for causing injury, having a meat cleaver with a sharply pointed blade and possession of a stolen meat cleaver at Dublin Road, Haggardstown, all on 25 May, 2019.
Dundalk district court heard Lesley has no previous convictions, and at the time of this offending was in psychosis.
Sergeant Fintan McGroder presented evidence that at 12.15pm it was reported than a man was outside Joe’s Shop, Greengates and believed to have a gun.
En route to the scene, gardaí saw a male matching the description on a bicycle.
After being approached by officers he removed a meat cleaver from down the front of his trousers and threw it over a hedge and into a garden behind him.
He also a had a screwdriver.
Sgt McGroder continued that the owner of a yard subsequently found a white plastic bag containing a number of items, including an Airsoft gun.
It transpired the imitation firearm, bicycle and two meat cleavers were taken during a burglary of a nearby house.
Barrister Stephen Faulkner said Lesley was highly intoxicated and in a form of psychosis at the time.
He couldn’t remember what happened, but on being shown CCTV footage was disgusted at his behaviour.
Mr Faulkner continued Lesley is attempting to rehabilitate himself and is engaging fully with the Red Door Project in Drogheda.
He is attempting to obtain employment and is willing to submit to urinalysis. He is trying to rehabilitate himself.
Judge McKiernan remanded Lesley on continuing bail to 13 May for a probation report, though warned him she was not guaranteeing anything.