Man avoids jail term for possession of knife 

By Eimear Dodd 

A man who fell off a bike while trying to cycle away from gardai had a kitchen knife in his possession, a court has heard. 

Jonathon Fraiser (38) of Knocknaree Avenue, Drimnagh Dublin, pleaded guilty to possession of a knife at Dublin Central Criminal Court. 

Garda Sergeant Mark Melbourne told Jennifer Jackson BL, prosecuting, today that gardai spotted Fraiser cycling in the area of Kylemore Road and Bluebell at around 12.40am on April 6, 2020. 

Gardai spoke to Fraiser and asked him to stop, but he turned around and tried to cycle away.

In the process, Fraiser hit the kerb and fell off the bike. 

He ran away but was followed by gardai who stopped him nearby.

A search was carried out of the area where the bike fell and a black-handled kitchen knife with a four-inch blade was recovered.  

Fraiser was arrested and taken to a nearby garda station. 

He has 68 previous convictions, including six for possession of drugs, one for possession of knives, theft and road traffic offences.

All of his previous convictions were in the district court. 

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard today that Fraiser was remanded in custody on April 7 2020, but was given High Court bail in January 2021 to attend residential treatment. 

Sgt Melbourne agreed with John Gallagher BL defending, that Fraiser’s period of detention was suspended for a period due to his level of intoxication. 

It was accepted that Fraiser served around 10 months in custody on this during the period of Covid-19 lockdowns, when the regime would have been restricted. 

Sgt Melbourne agreed that Fraiser has addiction issues but is easy to deal with when not under the influence of illicit substances. 

Mr Gallagher asked the court to take into account his client’s guilty plea, efforts towards rehabilitation and time already spent in custody on this matter. 

He said Fraiser has a history of addiction to cocaine and heroin but has spent time in residential treatment dealing with these issues. 

A number of references and a letter from Coolmine Treatment Centre were handed in to the court. 

Fraiser has two children and his partner is expecting a baby in the coming months. 

Mr Gallagher said his client comes from a “good family” and he was a carer for his mother, who passed away in 2010. 

Counsel said his client received a “modest inheritance” which was the “worst thing that could have happened to him” and “went off the rails”. 

Counsel said Fraiser accepts responsibility for his actions and offending, which had addiction at its root. 

He asked the court to give Fraiser the opportunity to continue on the path towards rehabilitation. 

Imposing sentence, Judge Orla Crowe noted Fraiser had put his time in custody to “good use” and made progress in addressing his addiction. 

She said possessing a knife in a public place is a “serious matter”, adding that Fraiser’s previous convictions are an aggravating factor. 

The judge noted the mitigation includes his guilty plea, apology and efforts towards rehabilitation. 

She imposed a 12-month sentence fully suspended on the condition that Fraiser keep the peace and be of good behaviour.