Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 4406Assault causing harm · Co. Louth · 5 Jun 2023

Assault case against John Keenan over former Dundalk FC owner John Temple dismissed

A District Court judge in Dundalk dismissed a charge of assault causing harm against John Keenan, 59, over an alleged assault on former Dundalk FC owner John Temple in 2023. The judge said she was not satisfied that harm had been caused.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Acquitted4 Dec
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
13 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe alleged assault took place at Rathcor, Riverstown in Dundalk, Co Louth. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe alleged assault took place on June 5, 2023. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationGardaí arrested Mr Keenan after Mr Temple reported the alleged assault. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeJohn Keenan was charged with assaulting John Temple causing him harm under Section 3 of the Non Fatal Offences Against the Person Act. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtMr Keenan denied the charge and claimed he acted in self-defence. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtJudge Nicola Andrews dismissed the case at Dundalk District Court after a near two hour contested hearing. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe judge was not satisfied the injuries amounted to Section 3 Assault Causing Harm. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe judge said she did not have jurisdiction to reduce the charge to Section 2 assault. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe judge noted a long protracted history between the accused and Mr Temple. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherMr Temple said Mr Keenan punched him in the face three times in front of his children. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherMr Temple said his injuries included a black eye, and that blood came from his right ear but he did not attend A&E. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherMr Keenan said Mr Temple came to the passenger side, used vulgar language and tried to connect with his shoulder. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe judge had difficulties with the blood in the ear as there was no reference to it in the medical report. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 4 Dec2025
    Acquittedirishmirror.ie, first report
    Case against man accused of assault of former Dundalk FC owner dismissed

    Case dismissed at Dundalk District Court after a contested hearing of nearly two hours.

    accused, John Keenan, 59, male, named, irish (judged from name)John Keenanvictim, John Temple, male, irish (judged from name)John Temple