Man who laid siege to Leinster House with sword sentenced to community service
A man caught trying to get into Leinster House with a Civil War era sword has been ordered to carry out 200 hours of community service.
Jordan Buckley of Kells Road, Crumlin, Dublin was tackled to the ground after running past the plinth with the blade.
Jordan Buckley's botched attempt at gaining entry to Leinster House with his great grandfather's Civil War era sword was described in court as a "hairbrained, misguided and ill conceived stunt on the part of a disaffected youth".
Garda Dwayne Conlon was on duty at around 4.30pm on April 29 when he came into the grounds armed with the blade and wearing a black hoody.
He drew his baton and ordered him to drop his weapon, prompting Buckley to raise the sword and dash past him towards the main entrance.
Garda Conlon gave chase and rugby tackled him to the ground.
Three knives were also found on him following his arrest and a fourth was found in the car park a short time later.
His solicitor Paul Hannon told the court his client had issues in relation to the Government's austerity plans but had no intention of engaging in any act of violence himself.
He said he didn't even know what members of the Government looked like except for the Taoiseach.
The 19 -year-old was ordered to complete 200 hours of community service in lieu of a 10 month prison sentence
