Father-to-be jailed over sword incident

An expectant father has been jailed for nine months for possession of a samurai sword which he claimed he had just "yanked" from a group of youths after they threatened him with it.

Michael Sweeney (aged 26) of Neagh Road, Terenure, Dublin, told gardaí that he had just witnessed a gang of teenagers trying to drive off in his car. He chased after them and they fled the scene. He was walking with friends 15 minutes later when he was approached by the group, one of whom was carrying the sword.