Man (35) jailed for ‘cowardly’ offending during violent rampage through Dundalk town centre
The Drogheda IndependentA man has been jailed for four-and-a-half years for his role in a spree of offending during which three people, including an 88-year-old man, were attacked.
The circuit court heard that David Ward (35) had been celebrating the christening of his cousin’s daughter before the series of incidents in Dundalk last year, and that he was on a suspended sentence at the time.
His cousin, Michael Ward (25), Seán O’Carroll Street, Ardee, is a co-accused and will be sentenced at a later date.
Both men pleaded guilty to charges stemming from the events of June 29, 2025, which a judge has described as “particularly cowardly” offending.
David Ward, Clifden House, Ravel, Dunleer, admitted a robbery at Market Square, another at Philip Street, production of a flick knife at Market Square and criminal damage of a car at Griffith Place.
Four other charges were taken into consideration, including one of assault causing harm on the elderly man.
Judge Dara Hayes said that the other defendant was the main offender in that matter.
The first incident occurred at 10.45pm when a 16-year-old youth sitting on a bench at Market Square was approached by two men.
He was punched twice in the face. A knife was produced and he was threatened with a stabbing.
The teen’s silver necklace was taken from around his neck along with his iPhone.
One of the men said to him: “I’m doing you a favour here for not getting a beating.”
Fifteen minutes later at Carroll Village an 88-year-old Somali resident was letting visiting family members out through electric gates when the two accused walked into the complex.
The court heard that the victim was subject to a brutal, unprovoked assault which was captured on CCTV.
He was left badly injured and not moving after sustaining punches and kicks to the head while on the ground. David Ward went through his pockets.
After leaving that area the men slashed tyres of a BMW in Philip Street.
Another Somali national was walking home along this street. He was asked for the time and showed the men his phone. It was snatched as was the man’s baseball cap. David Ward punched him in the face and he fell.
The man tried to grab a knife which was produced. He suffered a laceration to his right hand and was again punched in the face.
The victim was chased as he ran to a Chinese takeaway for help.
He was brought by ambulance to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital with cuts to his face and hand.
Gardaí including members of the Armed Support Unit were in the area and apprehended the two men. Both resisted arrest.
Two mobile phones, a necklace and baseball cap were recovered.
In a Victim Impact Statement, the elderly man said that his health deteriorated and he left Dundalk as a result.
"I genuinely believed I was going to lose my life.”
He continued that he lived in constant fear and was easily startled.
He hoped that the sentence reflected the gravity of what occurred.
David Ward, who appeared via video link, has been in custody since.
He has 75 previous convictions, including for assault, criminal damage and possession of an article with intent to cause injury.
Counsel for David Ward said at a previous hearing that alcohol was not being offered as an excuse.
The defendant, separated, with three children, apologised for “a disgraceful course of action” on the night.
He had a heart condition and mental health difficulties. Mr Ward had endured a traumatic life.
Judge Hayes noted from reports that David Ward had little memory of what occurred.
He had been assessed at “very high risk” of reoffending.
This was a spree of offending over a relatively short space of time and in relatively close proximity of Dundalk town centre.
The judge added it was “particularly cowardly”.
"These (offences) impact more widely on people’s sense of safety in the town.”
David Ward was sentenced to four-and-a-half years imprisonment, backdated to when he went into custody on June 30, 2025.
He is due to appear back in court on February 25 for a Section 99 Re-entry application in respect of the suspended sentence he was serving at the time of this incident.