Longford circuit Court: Defendant was brandishing a knife in Lanesboro pub

A defendant convicted of assault and possession of a weapon will be medically assessed to ascertain whether he is able to undertake community service before his case is concluded.

Artur Rydzak (43) of 22 Cnoc Na Gaoithe, Lanesboro, Longford pleaded guilty to the offence of possession of a knife on November 21, 2021, at Main Street, Lanesboro, and one count of assault on Ryan Garland on the same date.

Garda Rachel Duignan took to the stand to outline the details of the offences. Garda Duignan said on the night of the incident she conducted a licence inspection at Clarke's Public House, Lanesboro.
While at the pub the officer was informed of an incident earlier in the evening when a male customer was “brandishing a knife” in the premises.
Garda Duignan was told the man, who was wearing khaki combat trousers, left the bar.

When the garda was on patrol in the town the squad car was waved down by Ryan Garland.
Mr Garland had visible facial injuries and claimed he was assaulted by the defendant. The officer spoke to Mr Rydzak and a search of the defendant found he was in possession of a knife.
Garda Duignan arrested him at 12:25am, describing Mr Rydzak as “highly intoxicated at the time”.

The witness agreed with defence counsel, Niall Flynn BL, that the defendant is well known in the area as a freshwater fisherman.
The court heard that when Mr Rydzak left the public house he was followed into the street by other patrons of the bar.
The defendant took exception to being followed and a melee ensued resulting in a “volatile situation”.

Garda Duignan said the defendant fully cooperated with the gardaí, however the other parties on the scene were acting aggressively and in intimidating manner, with one man taking off his shirt.
That individual was arrested for a breach of the public order.
In interview Mr Rydzak, a Polish national living in Ireland for the last 15 years, admitted hitting the other man but said it was in self defence.
The victim in the assault declined to make a statement to the court.
Counsel for the defendant, Mr Flynn, said his client has suffered from depression and was on medication at the time.

He said alcohol was a major factor in the offending. He explained that Mr Rydzak was out fishing earlier in the day and that was why he had the knife on him.
Mr Flynn explained the defendant had served in the army in his native Poland and was “well able to look after himself” when confronted by the other parties outside the pub.
The barrister highlighted the garda evidence that the other parties “were more agitated” than his client.

Mr Flynn said the defendant just “wanted to put this sad affair behind him”.
In summing up Judge Kenneth Connolly referenced a number of mitigation factors including the defendant being confronted, his co-operation with gardai, his early plea of guilty and the remorsefulness expressed in the probation report.

Judge Connolly said he would impose 200 hours of community service in lieu of nine months in custody.
He adjourned the sentence to facilitate a medical report confirming Mr Rydzak's suitability for community service.