Chop Shop | 

Dad seen walking down Leixlip street with hatchet had it ‘in case of any trouble’, court told

Patrick Ward (44) was living in homeless accommodation at the time, and was worried about his family.

Today at 02:30

A father of three who walked down a street holding a hatchet had it for his own protection, and he hoped it would act as a deterrent to any troubles he might have, a court has heard.

Patrick Ward (44) was living in homeless accommodation at the time, and was worried about his family.

Judge Máire Conneely imposed a four-month sentence, suspended for 18 months.

The defendant, with an address at Leixlip House Hotel in Leixlip, Co Kildare, admitted possession of a hatchet on March 30, 2023.

Blanchardstown District Court heard gardaí received a number of calls about a man walking down Main Street, Leixlip, carrying a hatchet.

Gardaí viewed CCTV footage, which showed Ward take a hatchet out of a shopping bag, hold it in the air, before throwing it away.