Friday 30 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. 14597Assault causing harm · Co. Laois · 18 Jun 2023

Charges withdrawn over alleged Portlaoise pub assaults

On June 18, 2023, Finbar O'Rourke (50) and Shane O'Connor (24), both men, were each accused of one count of assault causing harm, in alleged assaults on each other at EJ Morrissey's pub in Market Square, Portlaoise, County Laois. The case came before Portlaoise District Court, where Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby applied to withdraw the charges. The charges against both men were withdrawn on the directions of the Garda Inspector, as reported on February 15, 2025.

  1. Reported
  2. Arrested
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Two men were accused of assaulting each other in a Portlaoise pub.
Where
The alleged assaults took place at EJ Morrissey's pub in Market Square, Portlaoise, County Laois.
When
The alleged offences occurred on June 18, 2023.
Other details
  • The suspects are Finbar O'Rourke, a man aged 50, and Shane O'Connor, a man aged 24.
  • The article's publication date is given as February 15, 2025 in the text and as February 12, 2025 in the feed metadata.
Charges
Finbar O'Rourke and Shane O'Connor were each accused of one count of assault causing harm.
In court
  • The case was before Portlaoise District Court, where Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby made an application in relation to the case.
  • The charges against both men were withdrawn on the directions of the Garda Inspector.
6 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatCharges were withdrawn against two men accused of assaulting each other in a Portlaoise pub. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereThe alleged assaults took place at EJ Morrissey's pub in Market Square, Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenThe alleged offences occurred on June 18, 2023. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeBoth men were each accused of one count of assault causing harm. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe case was before Portlaoise District Court. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe charges were withdrawn on the directions of the Garda Inspector. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 12 Feb2025
    Otherleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Charges withdrawn over alleged Portlaoise pub assaults

    Charges against both men were withdrawn at Portlaoise District Court on the directions of the Inspector. The article gives no further detail on the assault.

    accused, Finbar O'Rourke, 50, male, named, irish (judged from name)Finbar O'Rourkeaccused, Shane O'Connor, 24, male, named, irish (judged from name)Shane O'Connor