Laois man captured on CCTV with knife and smashing window

A man who was captured on CCTV footage with a knife in his hand, picking up a rock and smashing a window on Main Street, Portlaoise came before the local district court charged with criminal damage and with possessing a knife.

Garda Sgt JJ Kirby told Judge Susan Fay that CCTV coverage from Main Street on 26 January showed a man with a knife in his hand. He picked up a rock and smashed a window.

He said the man got into his car and drove away. However, the car’s registration was captured, which allowed gardaí to track him down at his address where he was arrested.

Arising from the incident, Oto Danhel (50), Hawthorn Way, Esker Hills, Portlaoise pleaded guilty to criminal damage and to possessing a knife at the time. Sgt Kirby said Mr Danhel had three previous road traffic convictions dating back to 2009.

Barrister for the defendant Anne Doyle said that her client’s previous convictions are considered spent under the Convictions Act*.

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Judge Susan Fay instructed the defendant to take part in the Restorative Justice Programme, undergo a probation report and gather compensation for the damage he caused.

She went on to remand Mr Danhel on continuing bail to the 6 July sitting of the court for finalisation and asked that gardaí canvass a statement from the victim in the meantime.

Ms Doyle applied to Judge Fay for free legal aid because, she said, Mr Danhel “is working on a low wage as a delivery driver,” which was granted.

*The Criminal Justice (Spent Convictions and Certain Disclosures) Act 2016 allows specific minor criminal convictions to become spent or disregarded after seven years, provided the offender has complied with the sentence.

Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme.