Garda forced to draw baton on man armed with kitchen knives during violent row in midlands housing estate

Ovitta Chimenya (37) of 16 Cnoc Na Gaoithe, Lanesboro, Longford appeared at a sitting of Longford District Court on Tuesday charged with knife possession following an incident at Cnoc Na Gaoithe, Lanesboro, Longford on April 28 this year.

Chimenya's co-accused, Michael Fox (45) with an address at 29 Cnoc Na Gaoithe, Lanesboro, Longford was charged with possessing an iron bar in threatening the residents of 16 Cnoc Na Gaoithe.

Fox, who was not present in court, was also charged with criminal damage to the aforementioned property's front door, using threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour and public intoxication.

A further assault charge on Garda Vincent O'Leary was, meanwhile, withdrawn by the State.

In outlining the prosecution's case, Sgt Enda Daly told of how gardaí were called to the scene where officers discovered a male brandishing an iron bar, an implement Judge Bernadette Owens was told had been used to bang the door of number 16.

Sgt Daly said after arresting the man, he soon noticed Chimenya appear from his residence while carrying two large kitchen knives in either hand.

The court heard Garda O'Leary approached Chimenya with his official ASP baton drawn directing the accused to desist and drop the knives.

Sgt Daly said Chimenya "eventually" dropped the knives, resulting in assistance being called by Garda O'Leary in order to effect the arrest of the accused.

He added the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had consented for "summary disposal", paving the way for the case to remain in the District Court provided jurisdiction was accepted.

Judge Owens duly gave her approval to that recommendation and ordered the disclosure of all the State's evidence in the case to be furnished to defence solicitor Bríd Mimnagh.

Chimenya did not speak or enter a plea, standing instead in the body of the court as details relating to the case were read out.

The local solicitor, meanwhile, revealed Fox's absence had been largely influenced by other separate court obligations the Longford man had in Roscommon.

Judge Owens consequently remanded Fox in his absence, together with Chimenya to a sitting of Longford District Court on January 14, 2025.