Before Waterford court over dumbbell offence
Waterford Court House
A man appeared before Waterford District Court over an offence involving the bar of a dumbbell.
Martin Halpin, (28), of10B Parliament Street, Waterford city, was charged with possessing an article in a public place intended to cause injury.
The court heard that Halpin was arrested by Gardaí after reports were made in relation to him having a possible knife in public. When gardaí attended the scene at Parliament Street on May 17, 2025, they discovered Mr Halpin with the bar of a dumbbell, not a knife. They instructed him to drop the bar but instead he raised it and said: “You better stand back.” He then dropped the bar and was arrested.
He was also charged with being highly intoxicated on May 15, 2025.
He has previous convictions, including for possession of drugs, theft, public order and trespass.
Ken Cunningham, solicitor for the defendant, said something went awry on the day where the incident with the bar arose. He pointed out, however, that the silver bar, which is used to hold onto weights, was a blunt instrument as opposed to pointed.
Judge Kevin Staunton convicted and sentenced Mr Halpin to six months, which he suspended for 12 months, on the condition that the defendant complies with the terms of his Probation Bond, including regarding his mental health treatment. The intoxication matter was taken into consideration.
