Teenager admits to knife incident in Eyre Square

COURTS

A COUNTY Galway teenager has admitted stealing a large knife from a well-known fast-food restaurant and using it to commit affray.

The 17-year-old boy, who cannot be identified because of his age, pleaded guilty to several serious violent offences at the latest sitting of Galway Circuit Criminal Court.

The teenager, who was accompanied by his father in court during the brief hearing, pleaded guilty to stealing a large, white handled kitchen knife from Supermac’s in Eyre Square, Galway City on July 28, 2024.

He pleaded guilty to using that stolen knife to commit affray; and to threatening to use unlawful violence with other persons at Eyre Square, Galway on the same date, contrary to Section 16 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act.

The juvenile offender, who turns 18 early next year, also pleaded guilty to two offences in Westside, Galway on December 26, 2025.

These include criminal damage to the glass front window of Monaghan’s Centra on Seamus Quirke Road and to violent disorder with other individuals at the same date and location.

Defence barrister Aisling Wall, instructed by solicitor Michael Cunningham, said her client was in custody from January 15 to May 1, 2026 when he was granted bail by the High Court.

Since then, he has had 30 sessions with a rehabilitation programme for young offenders, she said, and has not reoffended.

A multi-disciplinary team identified the child had a learning difficulty that had been undiagnosed until recently, the court heard.

She said that he has had a “full turnaround”, his probation report was “positive”, and he is now employed in retail.

Ms Wall said she was anxious to deal with sentencing as soon as possible.

Prosecuting barrister Shane O’Callaghan said there were two victims who would be canvassed for impact statements.

Judge Brian O’Callaghan remanded the offender on bail to appear again in December.

Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme