Man allegedly had knife hidden up his rectum at a Laois garda station

A man has denied cutting up a garda station mattress using a box cutter knife which had been hidden in his rectum. 

Patrick Kerry (26) of Cashel Holiday Hostel, 6 John Street, Cashel, Tipperary, was accused of possessing a blade and causing criminal damage to a mattress in a cell at Abbeyleix Garda Station on August 11 last. 

He was also accused of having a cutthroat razor at Esker Hills shop in Portlaoise on January 31, 2025 and engaging in abusive or threatening behaviour at Best Choice Pizza in Portlaoise on August 1, 2023.

Solicitor Barry Fitzgerald said a date for hearing would be required in relation to the allegations at Abbeyliex Garda Station. 

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said it would be alleged that “he concealed a box cutter knife in his rectum” and used it to cut the mattress in the garda station cell. “There was damage done to the mattress,” he said. 

Judge Susan Fay adjourned the case back to Portlaoise District Court on December 9 for hearing. 

Mr Fitzgerald said his client was pleading guilty in relation to the remaining matters. 

Sgt Kirby said the man was behaving in an erratic manner and flagged down gardai at Esker Hills on January 31. “There was a cutthroat razor and a yellow handle in his possession,” he said. 

On August 1, the man had entered the pizzeria and threatened the owner demanding money, said Sgt Kirby. He said the man had 59 previous convictions. 

Mr Fitzgerald said there was a very positive report from CADS (Community Alcohol and Drug Service) before the court. He said in relation to the incident at the pizzeria, the man knew the injured party and has since apologised. In relation to Esker Hills, he said, “he himself called the guards, so he was completely intoxicated.” 

Judge Susan Fay noted the man was on a community service order and had relocated to a hostel in Gardiner Street in Dublin. 

Mr Fitzgerald said his client “is not burying his head in the sand” and was engaging with CADS. 

Judge Fay said she had read the probation report and noted the previous convictions. “I am going to give him a suspended sentence,” she said. She imposed a total of seven months which she suspended for two years.