Longford driver who had extendable baton in car claimed it was for hillwalking

A motorist who was found with an extendable baton in his car, which he claimed he had bought for hillwalking, has been directed to make a charity contribution.

Piotr Dzickowski of 95 Grian Ard, Ardnacassa, Longford town pleaded guilty at the local district court to being in possession of an offensive weapon on July 26, 2024 at St Mel's Road car park.

However, the defendant denied he had the baton in his car for any illegitimate reason and claimed he was an avid hillwalker.

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Sergeant Mark Mahon, court presenter, said Garda Colin Goldrick was on duty at 12.50pm when he observed a car acting suspiciously and the vehicle was stopped.

Sgt Mahon said Mr Dzickowski became 'very nervous' when he was spoken to by Gardaí and the car was searched.

An extendable baton was found inside the driver's door and Mr Dzickowski was arrested and subsequently charged.

The defendant had no previous convictions.

Defence solicitor Bríd Mimnagh stated it was a 'reluctant' guilty plea from her client who denied he was acting suspiciously.

"It was a plastic walking stick that is retractable, which is used by many people including myself doing hillwalking and that is exactly what it was," she said. "He cooperated with Gardaí and he does a lot of walking in the Wicklow Mountains.”

Ms Mimnagh insisted there was no other purpose and having it for hillwalking was a reasonable explanation.

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"He accepts any item such as this should not be in a motor car unless he is going walking on the same day, it was just left  there from his previous trek," she added.

The court heard Mr Dzickowski earns between €350 and €400 per week.

Judge Bernadette Owens directed the defendant to make a €350 contribution to the poor box by March 4 next.

And she indicated that if he did she would strike out the matter.

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