Man refused to drop knife upon order from Kildare gardaí

A man refused to drop a knife, despite being ordered to do so by gardaí.

Alexandru Ghirculesei, with an address listed as 56 Dunmurray Rise in Kildare town, pleaded guilty to the offence when he appeared in front of presiding judge Nicola-Jane Andrews at Naas District Court on Thursday, July 18 last.

It was heard that on March 26, 2023, the 37-year-old was confronted by gardaí at Dunmurray Rise, and that Mr Ghirculesei was in possession of a knife.

Garda Sergeant David Hanrahan told Judge Andrews that gardaí instructed him to drop the knife, but he refused to comply with this order.

Mr Ghirculesei also pleaded guilty to using a stolen card 'to tap for goods' (spending €33 on the card) at Fitzpatrick's Garage, Dublin Road, Kildare town on February 6, 2021.

The court was told that he has two previous convictions, both for road traffic offences, dating back to 2020.

Referring to the 2023 incident, defending solicitor Brian Larkin acknowledged to the judge that what his client did 'was not good behaviour', and added that his client wished to apologise for their actions.

Mr Larkin also said: "He was under the influence at the time, but still, it’s not acceptable."

He further said that his client insists that such incidents 'will not happen again.'

Judge Andrews decided to fine Mr Ghirculesei €500 for the 2023 offence, which is to be paid within three months.

The judge took the 2021 incident into consideration as part of her verdict.