A tradesman who was found with two Stanley blades on his person has had a knife possession charge against him dismissed, after a judge accepted he was carrying work tools and noted he was living in his van at the time.
The man’s solicitor submitted that his client had been wearing Snickers work trousers and a tool belt, while the blades were consistent with the equipment of a working tradesman.
Darren Longworth (40), of Abberley Apartments, Abberley Square, Tallaght, appeared before Tallaght District Court charged with possession of a knife at Abberley Square car park on 9 March 2025, contrary to section 9(1) and (7) of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990.
The investigating garda told Judge Patricia McNamara that she was responding to a domestic incident ongoing in the complex when she encountered Mr Longworth in the car park.
She conducted a search under section 62 and found two Stanley blades on him – one in his work belt, the other loose in a pocket. Mr Longworth was arrested, taken to Tallaght Garda Station and charged, making no reply.
Mr Longworth told the court that he was a “multi-skilled tradesman – carpentry, plumbing, everything”, and had been living in his van at the time. He said he had been sitting in the van listening to music, and routinely kept his tools on him and in the vehicle because it doubled as his accommodation.
He said a larger switch-blade-type tool was stored inside the van, not on his person.
Mr Longworth added he had been “ripping up carpet on a stairway in Sandyford” earlier that day but could not recall the exact address. He said he had been angry about the situation during the search and charge process and would “normally have a shower after work,” which was why his tools were still on him that night.
His solicitor, Jeremiah Breen, submitted that his client had been wearing Snickers work trousers and a tool belt, and the blades were consistent with the equipment of a working tradesman.
The investigating garda noted for the record that Mr Longworth had appeared intoxicated when first arrested, which she believed explained why he did not initially tell Gardaí he had been working that day.
Judge McNamara said there were two central aspects to the case: that Mr Longworth had been working earlier in the day, and that he had been wearing his work belt and gear when Gardaí encountered him.
She also noted his living circumstances, saying his tools would naturally be on his person and in the van.
Taking all of those factors together, the judge said Mr Longworth was entitled to the benefit of the doubt and dismissed the charge.