Man who ran off from Gardaí threw knuckleduster away

A 19 year old man who ran away from Gardaí on being told he was going to be searched under the Misuse of Drugs Act was susbequently seen throwing a knuckleduster away.

Before Sligo District Court was Troy Smith of 12 McNeill Drive, Cranmore who was summoned for obstruction under the Drugs Act at Castle Street on October 16 th 2018 at Castle Street.

Sergeant Derek Butler said Gardaí saw the defendant at 2.58am and pulled in the patrol van alongside the footpath.

The defendant was unstready and he was hyperextending his fingers. His eyes were also glazed over and he was slurring his words.

The defendant was told he was going to be searched but he blocked a Garda from getting out of the van. He then ran from the scene down Water Lane and Rockwood Parade.

A pursuing Garda saw the defendant drop a knuckleduster to the ground. The Garda caught up with the defendant at O’Connell Street. He did not have any previous convictions.

Mr Mark Mullaney, solicitor (defending) pleaded that it was the fact the defendant had the knuckleduster that caused him to panic and run-off. He was in court with his mother and was doing well on a community training centre course. Judge Kevin Kilrane said the defendant was out and up to no good at three in the morning. It was fortunate he was being stopped at this formative stage in his life. He was prepared to give him a chance and adjourned the case for monitoring to January 23rd 2020. If there was nothing further he would get the Probation Act.