'A tumultuous life' Longford man caught with axe in sports bag is jailed
Defendant before Longford Districyt Court pleaded guilty to being in possession of an offensive weapon, namely an axe, and being in possession of drugs
A man who was found to have “an axe hanging out of his sports bag” and admitted several other offences has been sentenced to one year in prison.
Aaron Hartshorn (20) of Colehill, Longford, pleaded guilty to being in possession of an offensive weapon, namely an axe, and being in possession of drugs just after midnight on Sunday August 10, 2025.
Sergeant Enda Daly, for the State, said gardaí were on patrol on the Connacht Road in Longford town when they observed a man acting suspiciously who was subsequently searched.
"The defendant had no objection to being searched and as Garda [Padraig] Shanley approached he noticed an axe hanging out of a sports bag which he had in his possession.
"He gave no reasonable explanation for having this axe and he was subsequently arrested under the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act."
Sgt Daly said Mr Hartshorn was also searched and drugs valued at €50 was found on him.
The defendant was separately detected with cocaine and caught driving without a licence and insurance on July 10, 2025
Sgt Daly said gardaí observed a blue Ford Focus and it was stopped and searched and a small quantity of cocaine was found valued at €30 and the vehicle was seized.
Mr Hartshorn had 27 previous convictions.
Solicitor Adrian Gillick said his client is currently in prison and he has had a 'tumultuous' life.
"He is a man who has had an addiction issue since the age of 13, which resulted in him being taken into the care of the State.
"It’s a sad case overall.”
Mr Gillick, who asked for some form of light at the end of the tunnel for his client , said he had ‘never had a structure in place to keep him on the straight and narrow and give him a chance in life’.
Judge Vincent Deane, who said he would try to minimise the sentence, decided to impose a 16-month term of imprisonment with the final four months suspended for 12-months on strict conditions.