Courts / Longford / Report

Shillelagh attacker has prison term more than doubled

Summary

The Court of Appeal has quashed the original sentence of Edward 'Blondie' Stokes, increasing his prison term by four years. Stokes, 33, of Ferriskill, Granard, Co Longford, had previously pleaded not guilty to all counts but was found guilty by a unanimous jury after a nine-day trial. In January last year, Judge Kenneth Connolly sentenced him to three years for violent disorder, with the final six months suspended for 12 months. He also received concurrent sentences of two years and three months for endangerment and 18 months for the production of an article. The State successfully appealed on grounds of undue leniency. The Court of Appeal, led by Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy, determined that the original headline sentence was incorrect given the aggravating factors, including the use of a shillelagh and the premeditated nature of the attack. The court set an appropriate headline sentence of eight years for violent disorder. After accounting for modest mitigation, Stokes was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment, with the final six months suspended. He must serve six-and-a-half years in jail. The other concurrent sentences remain as originally imposed.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Shillelagh attacker has prison term more than doubled. Charges or matters: all counts but a unanimous jury found him guilty on all counts after a nine-day trial. "This was a particularly savage, vicious and sustained assault on Mr Baxter by Mr Stokes and other persons present that involved about 20 or more blows to Mr Baxter," said Judge Connolly, adding he believed the blunt instrument used to be a "shillelagh". Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Found guilty

When:

• October 7, 2018 Incident
• 2024-03-21 Publication

Why: In quashing the original sentence, Mr Justice McCarthy said "great violence" had been used in the attack and that a table had been moved by Stokes in order to get further access to the head of the injured party. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Appeal Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report