A man who had a "razor-sharp" machete and €2,700 in cash in the boot of his car left Tallaght District Court with the machete after his case was dismissed. Det Garda Conor Harrison returned the machete to Laurence Grocott after his trial.
Mr Grocott was also refused legal aid after Judge Bridget Reilly heard that nearly €3,000 in cash had been found in the boot of the car along with the machete. His solicitor, Michael Hennessy, told Judge Reilly that his client had accumulated back payment of social welfare which had been seized by the gardaí and was later returned to Grocott.
Mr Grocott (31), Woodleigh Grove, Blessington, had pleaded not guilty to possession of a machete contrary to the Firearms Act 1990 at Belgard Walk in Tallaght on July 31st, 2014. Det Garda Harrison told the court he had been on plainclothes duty at 5.14pm on that date when he saw Mr Grocott pass by him in a car, an Audi A4. He said Mr Grocott was a front-seat passenger in the car and he stopped it. Det Garda Harrison said he found a machete in the boot of the car.
Unsheathing the machete in front of Judge Reilly, he told her that it was “razor-sharp” and warned her to be careful when examining it. “It’s razor-sharp, fore-warned is forearmed”. Det Garda Harrison said he asked the driver of the car, Patrick Nolan, why he had the machete. He said Mr Nolan replied: “I’m going hunting”.
Det Garda Harrison said he later arrested and charged Mr Grocott. The detective said he then asked Grocott about the machete and he replied: “It’s going on my wall”. He said Mr Grocott then said: “I own it, it’s mine”.
Det Garda Brian Hurl said he had been on patrol with Det Garda Harrison when he noticed a vehicle, an Audi A4, being driven by a driver who looked too young to be driving. He said they stopped the car and later found the machete in the boot.
Mr Hennessy applied for a direction on the grounds that Det Garda Harrison had no right to stop and search the car without good reason to do so. Judge Reilly granted the application and dismissed the case.
Mr Hennessy applied for the return of the machete to Mr Grocott and then applied for legal aid. Det Garda Harrison said he had an objection to legal aid. He said €2,700 in cash had been found in the boot.
Mr Hennessy said the cash had been an accumulated back payment of social welfare. He said the money had been seized by the gardaí and was later returned to Mr Grocott. Judge Reilly refused legal aid.