Possessed two bottles containing bleach to protect sister and child, Carlow court heard
Carlow courthouse
A GRAIGUECULLEN man who pleaded guilty to the possession of two bottles containing bleach, which he claimed he was carrying to protect his sister and her child, has had his case adjourned to allow a probation report to be prepared.
John Craddock (26) Morrins Lane, Graiguecullen, Carlow appeared before Judge Tom MacSharry at Carlow District Court charged with possession of an article in a public place.
Sgt Gráinne McPartlin told the court that on 22 February 2024 at approximately 8.35pm at Ashgrove, Tullow Road, Carlow, the defendant was observed walking towards an unmarked garda patrol car before turning around and thrusting his hands in his pockets.
Garda O’Connor deemed this to be suspicious and approached Mr Craddock before conducting a search of his person. During the course of the search, two bottles containing bleach-like substances were found.
The defendant admitted that the contents of the containers were bleach and that he was carrying them for his own protection so he was subsequently taken to Carlow Garda Station.
Analysis of the liquid in the containers indicated that acid, sodium chloride and chlorine were present in both containers, consistent with household bleach.
The court heard that the defendant has 12 previous convictions, two of which are relevant to matters before the court.
The most recent was from 8 January 2025 in relation to an offence under the , where he received a ten-month prison sentence.
The most recent relevant conviction was from 13 March 2024 at Carlow Circuit Court, where he received a five months’ prison sentence for the possession of knives and other articles.
Defence solicitor Joe Farrell told the court that it was "very familiar" with his client, noting that Mr Craddock is currently on remand before the circuit court on separate matters, having been refused bail and having made an unsuccessful application to the high court.
Mr Farrell outlined that at the time of the offence, his client was staying in an apartment in Graiguecullen and that his sister was under threat. He said it was not his client's intention to use the bleach offensively, describing the items as "pretty crude," and relayed that Mr Craddock had said the substance "would have slowed things down and just stung" and that he was "not trying to blind anyone." Mr Farrell said his client had told him he was "worried for her and her child's safety."
Mr Farrell also told the court that Mr Craddock had previously engaged with the probation services and that some of his previous convictions related to drug use. He noted that before going into custody, his client spent one day a week working in his grandmother's garden and that his parents are trying to arrange treatment for him ahead of his release.
Mr Farrell said his client "makes significant admissions and these are admissions of value."
Judge MacSharry queried whether, given the defendant's previous engagement with the probation services, a new report would be useful, to which Mr Farrell agreed that it would. A probation officer present in court indicated the report would take approximately four weeks to complete.
Judge MacSharry adjourned the matter to 1 July for the probation service to engage with Mr Craddock, telling him that Mr Farrell had done "an exceptionally good job" for him.
