Dáil swordsman who staged ‘one-man rebellion’ avoids jail

A "disaffected" Dublin youth, who used his great- grandfather’s sword from the 1916 Rising to stage a "one-man rebellion" at Leinster House in April, has been sentenced to 200 hours’ community service.

Thu, 23 Oct, 2014 - 01:00

Jordan Buckley, aged 19, from Kells Rd, Crumlin, charged into the yard of Leinster House with the sword raised high and knives concealed in his clothing, Dublin District Court heard yesterday.

Judge Michael Walsh said the community service work must be carried out if Buckley is to avoid a 10-month jail sentence.

Buckley, who is unemployed, developed a “hare-brained scheme” because he could not find work and had issues with the Government’s austerity measures, the judge heard.

First-time offender Buckley pleaded guilty yesterday to trespassing with a weapon at Leinster House on April 29 last. He also admitted trespassing with intent to cause fear and resisting arrest in connection with the same incident. The Dáil was not sitting on the day.

In evidence, Garda Dwayne Conlon told Judge Michael Walsh that at about 4.30pm he had been on duty at the front yard of Leinster House when Buckley, wearing a dark hoodie, ran in “carrying a large sword in his hand”.

Gda Conlon said he drew his baton and Buckley came to halt and raised the sword “as if he was preparing to strike”. He said Buckley came towards him to “stop me advancing on him”.

The 19-year-old then ran around Gda Conlon and made for the doors of Leinster House. However, the garda gave chase and caught up with Buckley who had reached the building’s revolving doors.

“I managed to grab him and pull him to the ground,” Gda Conlon said.

During the struggle, a garda hit Buckley with a baton to “get him to relinquish the sword”, after which the youth was arrested. Defence solicitor Paul Hannon said the sword was a “family heirloom used for symbolic reasons”.

Buckley has since signed up for an educational course and now hopes to complete the Leaving Certificate, the court heard. The garda confirmed Buckley has also kept out trouble.