Suspended sentence for Limerick man who had scissors on the street

The judge said she was willing to accept that they were scissors with a plastic handle, which are for domestic use

Published 3rd May 2026, 19:54 BST The judge said she was willing to accept that they were scissors with a plastic handle, which are for domestic use Sign up to our Limerick Live newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Limerick Live within your account.

THE PROBLEM wasn’t the scissors, the problem was his drunkenness,” said Judge Patricia Harney when a man came before here for a public order offence and possession of a pair of scissors in a public place.

Jonathan Colbert, aged 38, of Hyde Avenue, Prospect, Limerick was intoxicated and in possession of an article on Parnell Street, Limerick, on December 11, 2025.

Limerick District Court heard that Mr Colbert “won’t engage meaningfully with the probation service”.

Prosecuting Sergeant Denis Waters detailed that Mr Colbert has over 50 previous convictions, including a firearms offence, an assault, theft and road traffic offences.

Judge Harney said: “He just doesn’t help himself does he … Wandering around with an implement like this in his pocket.”

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The judge said she was willing to accept that they were scissors with a plastic handle, which are for domestic use.

The judge proceeded to convict and sentence Mr Colbert to two weeks’ imprisonment for the scissors, which was suspended for six months.

The man was convicted and fined €200 for the section 4 public order offence, with four months to pay the fine.

Solicitor Tom Kiely, representing Mr Colbert, thanked the judge, telling her “I appreciate it”.

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