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. 1897Assault (Section 2, Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997) · Co. Donegal · 25 Aug 2022

Barrister Alexander Smyth seeks High Court review of Probation Act decision over pram assault in Letterkenny

Alexander Smyth, a barrister from Convoy, Lifford, Co Donegal, is seeking a High Court judicial review of a District Court decision that dismissed an alleged Section 2 assault involving a pram under the Probation Act. The alleged incident occurred on 25 August 2022, and the victim was a man. The District Court in Letterkenny dismissed the case on 16 April 2024 under Section 1(1) of the Probation Act, with what Smyth claims was the judge's comment of 'facts proven' attached. Smyth, who denied the allegation, filed for judicial review in April 2025 against the DPP, a named garda, and the Attorney General, and the case is to come before Mr Justice Garrett Simons at the High Court the following month.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court8 Apr
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Alexander Smyth, a barrister from Convoy, Lifford, Co Donegal, was alleged to have committed a Section 2 assault involving a pram on a man.
Where
The alleged incident and the District Court decision took place in Letterkenny, Co Donegal.
When
The alleged incident occurred on 25 August 2022.
Charges
The allegation was a Section 2 assault under the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997.
Investigation
  • Two counter-complaints were made but not investigated.
  • Evidence including CCTV was lost and is not recoverable.
In court
  • The District Court in Letterkenny dismissed the case on 16 April 2024 under Section 1(1) of the Probation Act, with a comment of 'facts proven' attached.
  • Smyth filed for judicial review at the High Court in April 2025 against the DPP, a named garda, and the Attorney General, seeking to quash the Probation Act dismissal and stay his Circuit Court appeal.
  • The case is to come before Mr Justice Garrett Simons at the High Court the following month.
Other details
Smyth denied the allegation.
9 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatAlexander Smyth is a barrister from Convoy, Lifford, Co Donegal. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe alleged incident occurred on 25 August 2022. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationTwo counter-complaints were made but not investigated. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationEvidence was lost in the case that is not recoverable, including CCTV. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeThe allegation was a Section 2 assault. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe District Court decision was made in Letterkenny on 16 April 2024. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtHe is seeking judicial review against the DPP, a named garda, and the Attorney General. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe case is to come before Mr Justice Garrett Simons at the High Court the following month. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherSmyth denied the allegation. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 8 Apr2025
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Barrister seeks to challenge Probation Act order over alleged assault involving pram

    First article on this case: Smyth files for judicial review at the High Court against the DPP, a named garda, and the Attorney General, seeking to quash the Probation Act dismissal and stay his Circuit Court appeal.

    accused, Alexander Smyth, male, named, irish (judged from name)Alexander Smythvictim, male