By Claire Henry
A man who wielded a knife in front of a busload of young children has been sentenced to three years in prison.
Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Oisin Peavoy (39) of Granby Row, Dublin 1, pleaded guilty to two counts of production on an article at locations in Parnell Square and Gardiner Street Upper on May 28, 2024. This charge carries a maximum penalty of up to seven years in prison.
Peavoy has no previous convictions.
Passing sentence on Thursday, Judge Martin Nolan said this defendant had a knife, which he produced on one occasion and pointed to it on the other. He said “people were very nervous”.
Judge Nolan said Peavoy has no record of conviction and has mental health difficulties. He also said Peavoy was “meandering during the [garda] interview and making irrational statements”.
The judge said, “this is a serious matter”, and noted that Peavoy “has some delusions and some delusions relating to children”.
Judge Nolan sentenced him to three years in prison and suspended the final two years for two years. He also placed him under the supervision of the Probation Services for 18 months post-release and directed Peavo carry out all directions they deem necessary, including his living arrangements.
The judge backdated the sentence to May 28, 2024, when Peavoy went into custody.
Detective Garda Paul Griffin told Oisin Clarke, BL, prosecuting, that on the morning in question, an employee in a creche was getting children on a bus to travel to school.
When the last child had boarded the bus, the worker noticed a man walking towards her. She thought the man was intoxicated as he was mumbling. She asked him if he was okay.
The man, later identified as Peavoy, asked the woman if she was in charge of these children, to which she replied, “Yes”. He then said, “You shouldn’t be”.
The court heard that the woman then boarded the bus, and she then heard one of the children say, “he has a knife”. The bus driver saw Peavoy stick his fingers up to the woman and then walk backwards; he then pulled out a knife and held it by his side.
The bus driver then began to drive off, and Peavoy gave him what was described as a military salute’. CCTV footage of this incident was played to the court.
Det Gda Griffin said a short time later, at 9.10 am, Peavoy went to Gardiner Street Upper and approached a second busload of children on their way to the zoo. The bus driver saw Peavoy approaching the bus.
Peavoy indicated that he had a knife, which he pointed to in a holder. The driver became concerned for the children and drove off. A short time later, the driver flagged down the gardai and made them aware of what happened. Peavoy was arrested at 10 am.
The court heard that gardai were immediately aware that Peavoy had mental health issues. During his interview, he told gardai that he was “Captain Peter Gramby from the arm of King Charles III and that Putin was listening”. He then said that he was a “soldier in the British Army and was reporting to King Charles and said he had been signalled”.
Peavoy was remanded into custody but later transferred to the Central Mental Hospital. A victim impact statement from the creche worker was handed in but not read out.
Det Gda Griffin agreed with Michael Hourigan SC, defending, that Peavoy was in the throws of a significant mental health issue at the time and that he also has a diagnosis of schizophrenia.
The garda agreed with counsel that his client had been non-compliant with the taking of his medication at the time.
Mr Hourigan said this case had first been before the District Court, but they refused jurisdiction, and his client was sent forward to the Circuit Court.
Counsel said there was mental health staff present in court who believe that upon Peavoy’s release, he should be assessed and should live in a residential facility with trained staff who will be able to help him.