Longford man with no teeth was using knife to cut food, court is told

Polish national Robert Walliant (56) 8 Clonbalt Woods, Longford, pleaded guilty to the possession of a knife at Longford garda station on July 11, 2023.

The court heard the accused had initially been arrested under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

However, with no drugs found, Mr Walliant was later searched at Longford garda station where the knife was discovered.

In defence, solicitor Frank Gearty said there were extenuating circumstances as to how his client had been found to be carrying the knife.

“He was without teeth for eight months and he had been using it to cut food for the purpose of eating,” he said.

Mr Gearty told of how Mr Walliant had since “got teeth now” and was “absolutely riproaring” as a result.

Sergeant Mark Mahon for the State, said the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had consented for summary disposal, meaning the case could be disposed of in the District Court.

Presiding Judge Brendan O'Reilly accepted jurisdiction with the case put back temporarily for “second calling”.

When it returned around an hour later, Sgt Mahon confirmed Mr Walliant was now in the possession of a “set of dentures”.

Judge O'Reilly said given the context in which Mr Walliant was charged, he would be striking out the case.