Kildare man jailed for producing knife to demand cigarette 

“A natural storyteller” from Co Kildare who demanded a cigarette by producing a large knife, went to hug the injured party then kissed him on the back of his neck after he gave him one, a court has heard.

Martin McDonnell (32) of The Close, Eustace Demesne, Naas pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to production of a knife and dishonestly appropriating a cigarette at Wellington Quay on 13 June 2024.

Mr McDonnell, who made “a homemade documentary on homelessness”, was previously attacked by an axe and has a permanent scar on the back of his head. He told gardaí in interview he was stabbed seven times and “I wouldn’t wish that on anyone.” He was handed a two-year sentence on Friday, with the final 10 months suspended.

Imposing sentence, Judge Patricia Ryan said it would have been “very frightening” for the injured party to be approached in this way.

She noted that it was aggravating that Mr McDonnell produced a large knife. The judge said the mitigation included his guilty plea and expressions of remorse.

The judge back-dated the sentence to 26 June last, when Mr McDonnell went into custody. She also directed Mr McDonnell to place himself under the supervision of the Probation Service for 18 months following his release from custody.

Mr McDonnell thanked the judge, saying he was “in a very bad place” and had been brought up in the care system, which failed him. He was picking up the pieces and wished to get better.

Detective Garda Robert Mahony previously gave evidence that the injured party was walking home from work after a night shift at 8am and was standing in a doorway when he was approached by Mr McDonnell who asked him for a cigarette.

“When he refused, he (Mr McDonnell) pulled a large knife from his trousers,” the garda told the court.

The injured party said Mr McDonnell was aggressive, but when he gave him the cigarette, Mr McDonnell went to hug him and kissed him on the back of the neck.

Mr McDonnell was arrested by appointment and made admissions in interview. He has 72 previous convictions for offences including road traffic, public order, criminal damage, failing to appear, firearms offences and four for assault.

Under cross-examination, Det Gda Mahony agreed that when the injured party handed over a cigarette he then “describes Mr McDonnell kissing him on back of neck” and the interaction “ended with fist bumps”.

He also agreed with Luigi Rea BL, defending, that Mr McDonnell then got on a bus to Naas where he was living at the time.

In interviews, Mr McDonnell said he was stabbed seven times and “wouldn’t wish that on anyone”.

Det Gda Murray also agreed Mr McDonnell was attacked by an axe and has a permanent scar on the back of his head.

When interviewed he told gardaí “I’m shocked … threats are out of character for me.” He told gardaí he only has a Stanley knife for work. He said he would “rather take his own life before another person’s”.

Mr McDonnell spent several weeks on bail and then took a bench warrant. He has been in custody since last June.

In mitigation, Mr Rea said Mr McDonnell lost his parents as a toddler in a road traffic accident. Counsel said despite having no exams Mr McDonnell was an “extremely intelligent man”.

He has been homeless and on the housing list for 14 years. He was sleeping rough in Kildare with his partner and lived in a derelict house at the time of the incident, counsel said.

Mr Rea said Mr McDonnell has five children and he was diagnosed with bipolar and ADHD and undiagnosed PTSD.

Mr McDonnell has “given urines” and “is working with Merchants Quay” where he has attended 11 one-to-one sessions, is doing an emotional regulation course and other courses.

Mr Rea said his client made a “homemade documentary on homelessness” which was also archived. Counsel said his client was a “natural storyteller” who “has a story and tells it extremely well”.

The court was told that Mr McDonnell is working with a drugs counsellor, is doing well in custody and has an offer of work and accommodation upon his release.