Judge says knife possession 'an absolute epidemic' as man faces fifth charge for carrying one

"Solicitor Pat Mann asked the judge for leniency, noting his client always pleaded guilty to charges and cooperated with gardaí. "He's been living on the street, he's been living hand to mouth," said Mr Mann. "But what man in his right mind on a suspended sentence for carrying knives is found carrying that kind of knife?" said Judge David Waters. Although Mr Pablaks had convictions for carrying knives and sharp objects, he held no convictions for intent to cause injury, said Mr Mann."

""What happens if this man finds himself in a confrontation that isn't of his own making and he produces the knife?" The judge described the widespread possession of knives as "an absolute epidemic". "I think suspended sentences have to have some meaning," said the judge. "This is the fifth time now he's caught carrying a knife of some description." He unsuspended four months of each eight-month suspended sentence, to run concurrent together but consecutive to the 10-month sentence issued last Thursday."

Kristian Pablaks (32) received a 10-month prison sentence after pleading guilty to charges including possession of knives and a pointed object. He was on two eight-month suspended sentences at the time of the offence and had been caught carrying knives on five separate occasions. Pablaks resides at Finnegans Hostel, Denny Street and An Sean Mhuileann, North Circular Road, Tralee. Solicitor Pat Mann said Pablaks pleaded guilty, cooperated with gardaí, had no convictions for intent to cause injury and had been living on the street. Judge David Waters described widespread knife possession as "an absolute epidemic" and partially unsuspended the suspended sentences to run consecutive to the 10-month term.

Read at Irish Independent