Suspended sentence for ‘paranoid’ man who carried knives
Judge called it a 'very serious matter'
A PARANOID man who pleaded guilty to carrying knives in Tullow was given a suspended sentence when he appeared before Carlow District Court last week.
Paul Troy, 23 Riverton Apartments, Tullow pleaded guilty to possessing knives on Bishop Street, Tullow on 13 August 2024.
Insp David Shore told Judge Cephas Power that a witness saw Mr Troy carrying knives and filmed him doing so. He said gardaí then identified Mr Troy and arrested him but added that the defendant had no memory of the incident because of the amount of alcohol he’d taken.
Solicitor Joe Farrell told the court that Mr Troy (40) admitted to using drugs and alcohol and added that he was off his prescribed medications at the time. He continued that his client was “paranoid” because he’d been a witness in a case but realised that it wasn’t the “best way to go about things”.
Judge Power noted that it must have been very distressing for people in Tullow to see a person carrying knives around, calling it a “very serious matter”. He then sentenced Mr Troy to eight months’ imprisonment, but suspended it fully for 12 months on the condition that he takes his medication, stays off illegal drugs and is of good behaviour.
He warned him that if he was back in court again, he would spend time in custody.
