Suspended sentence for man Garda found with hunting knife

PETER Winters (25), formerly of Castle View, Mulrankin was found with a hunting knife when searched by Garda Stephen Burke in January.

The accused was brought to the District Court sitting at Ardcavan under escort from the Midlands Prison where he was serving a sentence imposed in another matter.

Arrested after discovery of the knife, he told Gardaí that he used it for hunting rabbits but he later informed solicitor Lana Doherty he had the blade for self-harm.

She expressed concern to Judge Gerard Haughton that Winters was being held on ‘23 hour lock-up’ in prison and that he was under suicide watch by prison staff.

The court was told that the defendant was taking three different anti-psychotic medications and he was undergoing psychiatric assessment while in custody.

The judge was informed that the accused was due to be released from the prison in Portlaoise on October 18 and, once free, he intends to stay in B&B accommodation.

Shown a picture of the knife, the judge remarked that it was ‘quite a serious weapon’ but he did not propose to extend the time being spent behind bars.

A five-month sentence was suspended, with the condition that Winters must remain under the supervision of probation staff for the year following his release.