Court archive
Court reports mentioning Edgeworthstown, Longford
2026-04-21 · Galway
Two men have been jailed for a combined nine years following the discovery of cannabis grow houses in Co Galway. Aloyzas Bukantus, 45, of Church Street, Edgeworthstown, Co Longford, pleaded guilty at Galway Circuit Criminal Court to possession of drugs for sale or supply and money laundering. Tomas Dumbliavskas, 31, from Lithuania, pleaded guilty to cultivation of cannabis. The offences occurred on 13 March 2024 at properties in Skehana South near Ballinasloe and Tallavnamraher, Creggs. Gardaí executed simultaneous search warrants, recovering cannabis plants and herb with a combined estimated value of €415,000. Dumbliavskas was discovered hiding in a partition wall; Bukantus was present at the other premises. Judge Eoin Garavan sentenced Dumbliavskas to four years, suspending the final twelve months on condition he leave the jurisdiction within two weeks of release. Bukantus received seven years, with the final year suspended for two years, and was placed under probation supervision for one year post-release.
2026-03-18 · Longford
Patrick Rea has received a concurrent 12-year sentence for raping and indecently assaulting his young cousin in Longford Town between 1986 and 1989. The Central Criminal Court reduced the headline term to account for Rea's age when the offending occurred. He remains in custody serving a life sentence and was made subject to lifelong post-release supervision and restrictions on contact with the victim and children.
2026-02-06 · Sligo
A man has been jailed for two years at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court following an assault on an Irish Rail inspector aboard a Dublin to Sligo train at Connolly Station. Gerry Nevin (32), of Mostrim Road, Ballymahon, Co. Longford, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm on 21 September 2024. The incident occurred after the inspector requested Nevin remove alcohol from the train. Evidence presented to the court showed Nevin engaged in a verbal dispute with the inspector, then assaulted him by pushing him against a door, punching him repeatedly and placing him in a headlock. The inspector sustained a fractured lip, facial cuts and broken glasses, and required hospital treatment. In a victim impact statement, the injured party described ongoing psychological effects and anxiety about returning to work. Judge Martina Baxter imposed a headline sentence of three and a half years, reducing it to two and a half years to reflect mitigating factors including Nevin's early guilty plea. The final six months were suspended on condition he comply with probation supervision and undertake offence-related courses.
2026-01-26 · Longford
Shane Kelly, 36, of no fixed abode in Edgeworthstown, Co Longford, was sentenced at the Central Criminal Court for offences committed in the early hours of February 25, 2025. Kelly pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted rape, one count of oral rape, one count of anal rape, and one count of burglary at the home of Anne Gallagher, a 70-year-old neighbour. Ms Justice Melanie Greally described the attack as pre-meditated, noting Kelly was aware of Gallagher's vulnerability, including her chronic health issues and reliance on mobility aids. The judge stated the harm caused was "life-altering" and that Kelly's culpability was of a "particularly extreme level." Although the Director of Public Prosecution assessed the case in the 10 to 15-year category, Ms Justice Greally set a headline sentence of 18 years. Taking mitigating factors into account, she reduced this to 14 years and six months. The final 18 months of the sentence were suspended on conditions. A Probation Service report indicated Kelly is at medium risk of reoffending and requires intervention for sexual preoccupation, impulsivity, and drug abuse. Gallagher, who waived her anonymity, stated she chose to forgive Kelly to heal, while the court noted the sentence must be punitive given the egregious violation of her home and the use of violence, including manual strangulation.
2022-10-07 · Longford
Barry Keane faces multiple charges including trespassing and handling stolen property (a keg of beer) at Park Road, theft of chocolate bars from a market, and cannabis possession. A Garda search of a vacant property at Park Road found a stolen keg and identification belonging to the defendant. The matter was adjourned to October 25, 2022.
2022-09-25 · Longford
Christopher Thompson (35) pleaded guilty to driving without insurance, without a driver's licence, and with excess cannabis in his system after being stopped on Mostrim Road, Ballymahon on February 16, 2020. An oral fluid sample tested positive for both cannabis and cocaine, with blood tests confirming he was over the legal limit for cannabis; Thompson had consumed the drugs the night before. Judge Bernadette Owens expressed concerns about a pattern of driving while intoxicated in Thompson's 26 previous convictions and directed a probation report before sentencing.
2022-03-01 · Longford
A 26-year-old man who pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death has consented to his surrender to Northern Ireland authorities at the High Court. Conor Jeremiah Briody was sentenced to six years imprisonment, with three years suspended, by Newry Crown Court in October 2016 following a high-speed chase in Enniskillen in August 2014. The court heard he was significantly over the drink-drive limit when driving at speeds up to 100mph. A passenger, Vaidas Urbonas, died six days after the crash. After serving three years, Briody was released on licence but breached conditions by relocating to the Republic without probation service approval. A warrant for his arrest was issued in September 2021, and he was apprehended in December. Ms Justice Caroline Biggs granted bail with residence at an Edgeworthstown address, requiring daily reporting to Longford garda station. Briody was remanded pending his surrender within twenty days.
2021-06-29 · Longford
The Court of Appeal has rejected an appeal by Aaron Cassidy, a convicted driver from Edgeworthstown, Co Longford, who challenged the severity of his five-year jail sentence for dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm. Presiding with Justices Kennedy and McCarthy, Mr Justice George Birmingham described the appeal as "utterly lacking in merit" and the original sentence as "generous" and "lenient." Cassidy was convicted in June 2020 for injuring pedestrian Stephen Roche in September 2017. He also pleaded guilty to failing to report the accident after fleeing the scene and abandoning his van in a bog. The court noted Cassidy was heavily under the influence of alcohol and cocaine at the time. The sentencing judge had reduced a headline sentence of eight years and six months to six years, suspending 12 months, resulting in an effective five-year term. Cassidy was also disqualified from driving for 10 years. The Court of Appeal affirmed that the sentence fell within the available range and declined to increase it, despite noting they would have been more severe. The matter was concluded with the appeal dismissed.
2019-11-29 · Longford
The High Court has struck out injunctions that were secured in September against two men accused of blockading and intimidating workers at a pet food manufacturing plant in Edgeworthstown, Co Longford. C&D Pet Foods, part of the ABP Food Group, had obtained the orders against Cllr Paraic Brady of Drumlish and Colm Leonard of Aughanoran, both Co Longford, following protests by farmers objecting to beef prices. The injunctions prohibited the defendants and those aware of them from trespassing, blockading the plant, or intimidating staff and visitors. At the High Court on Friday, Ms Justice Leonie Reynolds agreed to strike out the proceedings on a consent basis, with no order made as to legal costs. The company had claimed the blockade obstructed its entrance for several days and threatened over 500 local jobs, causing approximately €400,000 in losses.
2018-10-22 · Longford
A man from Edgeworthstown in Longford has received a partially suspended sentence after pleading guilty to trespassing with intent to commit an offence at a Dublin residence. James Smith (35) of Mostrim Oaks, Ballymahon Road, entered a house on Bloomfield Avenue on October 4, 2015, where he told the occupants that someone was pursuing him. When the homeowners informed him that gardaí were en route, he replied "good". At Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Judge Pauline Codd sentenced Smith to three and a half years imprisonment, crediting 17 months already served in custody and suspending the remainder. The court heard Smith had broken a kitchen window and admitted seeking to steal items to sell, stating he needed money urgently and was unaware anyone was home. Nothing was taken from the property. Smith carries 116 previous convictions, including 17 for burglary. The judge cited his guilty plea, difficult personal circumstances including brain damage, and addiction history as mitigating factors, while noting the window damage and impact on the family as aggravating elements.
2018-02-09 · Longford
A 25-year-old Latvian man has pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of a Polish construction worker at the Central Criminal Court. Rihards Lavickis of Annaly Court, Longford has denied murder in relation to the death of Akadiusz Czajkowski, 31, at Rue Noyal Chatillon, Townspark on 1 November 2016. The prosecution opened its case this week, outlining that the accused brought a knife to confront the deceased following an overnight incident in which his apartment windows were damaged. CCTV footage showed Mr Lavickis concealing himself before approaching Mr Czajkowski as he crossed the road. The deceased sustained three stab wounds and collapsed inside a nearby shopping centre, dying shortly after. The accused was arrested at Longford Garda Station where he admitted responsibility for the stabbing. The trial continues before Justice Una Ní Raifeartaigh. Rihards Lavickis pleaded not guilty.
2017-01-27 · Longford
A man with 116 previous convictions, including 17 for burglary, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to trespass with intent to commit an offence at a dwelling in Dublin 8 on 4 October 2015. James Smith, aged 33, of Mostrim Oaks, Ballymahon Road, Edgeworthstown, County Longford, entered the house by breaking a kitchen window. When the occupants shouted that gardaí had been contacted, Smith indicated he required assistance as someone was pursuing him. Upon the arrival of gardaí, Smith opened the door to admit them. He later told gardaí he had entered the property intending to steal items for sale, stating he needed money urgently and was unaware occupants were present. Nothing was taken from the house. Smith acknowledged he had consumed drugs prior to the incident. Judge Pauline Codd adjourned sentencing to allow preparation of updated psychological and probation reports. A sentence date of 3 April 2017 was fixed, at which point defence counsel will make a plea in mitigation.
2016-10-13 · Longford
A telecommunications engineer gave evidence at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin regarding mobile phone mast data from County Longford during the state visit of Queen Elizabeth in May 2011. Donal Billings, aged 65, of St Bridget's Court, Drumlish, faces five charges under the Criminal Law Act 1976, including making false reports of bombs at locations including Busáras, Sinn Féin headquarters, Dublin Castle, and Cork Airport on dates spanning May 16th to May 20th, 2011. He is also charged with unlawful possession of an explosive substance at Longford railway station car park. Mr Billings has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Evidence indicated that phone calls made to Longford Garda Station from an 086 number were routed through masts at Edgeworthstown and near Longford town. The trial continues.
2016-04-07 · Longford
A homeless family have initiated High Court proceedings against South Dublin County Council over its refusal to grant them priority status for housing allocation. Rosemary and Stephen Mongan, currently residing in emergency hotel accommodation in Dublin City Centre with their young child, became homeless in September 2015 when their landlord in Edgeworthstown, County Longford sold their rented property. The family subsequently applied to South Dublin County Council for priority status, citing family connections to the council's administrative area. Their application was verbally refused, though they were later approved for social housing support. The Mongans, represented by the Mercy Law Resource Centre Solicitors, contend they meet criteria for priority status on exceptional medical grounds. They seek orders to quash the council's January decision and compel reconsideration of their application. The family also seek declarations that the council acted in breach of statutory duty by failing to provide reasons and that the refusal was irrational and unlawful. Mr Justice Richard Humphreys granted permission to bring the action, with the matter returnable later that week.