'Traumatising' - Knife threats made outside popular Kilkenny City nightspot

A man who had a knife and was threatening people outside a Kilkenny City bar has been handed down a suspended prison sentence, at the local district court.

Vincent Hennessy, Good Shepherd Hostel, Church Lane, Kilkenny, was convicted of being in possession of a knife and public order offences were taken into consideration.

Evidence was heard that on the night of December 2, 2024, gardaí on patrol in the city got a call from security staff at Paris Texas to say there was a man outside the premises with a knife, threatening members of the public. He was intoxicated.

The gardaí went to the premises where they spoke to a staff member who gave a description of the man.

Gardaí carried on to Parliament Street, then down on to Bateman Quay and on to John Street, where they located Mr Hennessy.
When asked about the knife, Mr Hennessy denied he had one.

He was arrested under the Public Order Act and when searched he was found to have a small, spring-loaded, brass knife with a sharp edge.

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Gardaí returned to Paris Texas to view CCTV. It showed Mr Hennessy outside the premises with the sharp bit of the knife blade exposed.

The garda agreed with the defendant’s solicitor Chris Hogan that when Mr Hennessy sobered up he was easy to deal with.

Inspector Alma Molloy told the court Mr Hennessy had a number of previous convictions.

Mr Hogan said his client suffered from addiction for a long time, with consequences for his health and leaving him homeless.

In the last year Mr Hennessy has attended residential treatment, but it was accepted that was before this incident occurred.
Since getting out of treatment his client is doing everything he can to better himself. He is attending a number of courses and Ardú aftercare services.

Letters were handed in to court to this effect, including one stating Mr Hennessy is substance free and not using diamorphine.
Mr Hogan said his client did not have an excuse for the offence. It was an unfortunate relapse on the night.

Mr Hennessy remembers waking up in the garda station but not being outside Paris Texas, he is even unsure why he had the knife in his possession, Mr Hogan told the court.
His client is making progress and this is a ‘blip’ in that, the solicitor added.

Judge Geraldine Carthy noted Mr Hennessy had significant previous convictions and was a recidivist offender.
She said she had no doubt the incident was traumatising for any member of the public present on the night.

The judge said she took into account the guilty plea and mitigation, adding everybody in the court wished Mr Hennessy well in his recovery.

A prison sentence of nine months was handed down, to be suspended for 18 months on condition that Mr Hennessy engage with the Probation Service and attend all appointments recommended by them.
A destruction order was issued for the knife and a charge of being intoxicated in public was taken into consideration.