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. 6601Assault causing harm · Co. Limerick · 7 Apr 2020

Collopy brothers acquitted of assaulting sulky driver in Limerick

On April 7, 2020, the State alleged that Vincent Collopy, 44, drove a jeep into the rear of a sulky cart at or near Sandy Lane, Boher, Co Limerick, forcing the cart and its driver, Darren Wallace, off the road. Vincent Collopy and Jonathan Collopy, 37, both of St Mary's Park, Limerick City, denied charges including assault causing harm to Darren Wallace. Darren Wallace told gardaí that Vincent Collopy was the driver, but at trial he testified that he had identified the wrong men. On February 6, 2024, after a four-day trial at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court, a jury acquitted both brothers on all charges.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Acquitted6 Feb
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • The State alleged that Vincent Collopy drove a jeep into the rear of a sulky cart, forcing it and its driver off a roadway.
  • The alleged victim is Darren Wallace, and Jamie Wallace is also named as a victim.
  • Vincent Collopy, 44, and Jonathan Collopy, 37, are both of St Mary's Park, Limerick City.
Where
The incident is said to have happened at or near Sandy Lane, Boher, Co Limerick.
When
The incident happened on April 7, 2020.
Investigation
  • Darren Wallace gave a statement to gardaí identifying Vincent Collopy as the driver of the jeep.
  • Jamie Wallace told gardaí he was also struck by the jeep but could not identify the occupants.
Charges
  • Vincent Collopy denied charges of assaulting Darren Wallace causing harm and endangerment.
  • Jonathan Collopy denied charges of assaulting Darren Wallace causing harm and producing an offensive weapon, namely a stick.
In court
  • The trial was held at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court and lasted four days in the week before the verdict.
  • The judge directed the jury to find Vincent Collopy not guilty of assaulting Jamie Wallace and of dangerous driving.
  • The jury deliberated for just over three hours without a unanimous decision, and the judge accepted not guilty verdicts from at least ten of the 12 jurors.
  • On February 6, 2024, the jury acquitted Vincent and Jonathan Collopy on all charges.
Other details
Darren Wallace testified that he had identified the wrong men and made a mistake in his statement, which he said was made while he had a head injury and was on heavy medication.
14 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA jury acquitted Vincent and Jonathan Collopy on all charges. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe State alleged Vincent Collopy drove a jeep into the rear of a sulky cart, forcing it and its driver off a roadway. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe trial was held at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe incident happened at or near Sandy Lane, Boher, Co Limerick. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe incident happened on April 7, 2020. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationDarren Wallace gave a statement to gardaí identifying Vincent Collopy as the driver of the jeep. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeVincent Collopy denied charges of assaulting Darren Wallace causing harm and endangerment. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeJonathan Collopy denied assaulting Darren Wallace causing harm and production of an offensive weapon, namely a stick. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe judge directed the jury to find Vincent Collopy not guilty of assaulting Jamie Wallace and of dangerous driving. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe trial was a four-day trial the week before the verdict. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe jury deliberated for just over three hours without reaching a unanimous decision, and the judge accepted not guilty verdicts from at least ten of the 12 jurors. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherDarren Wallace testified that he had identified the wrong men and had made a mistake in his statement. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherDarren Wallace said he had a head injury and was on heavy medication when he made the statement. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherJamie Wallace told gardaí he was also struck by the jeep but could not identify the occupants. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 6 Feb2024
    Acquittedirishmirror.ie, first report
    Collopy brothers found not guilty of assaulting sulky driver in Limerick

    Reports the jury acquittal of both brothers after a four-day trial. Also reports that the alleged victim said at trial he had identified the wrong men.

    accused, Vincent Collopy, 44, named, irish (judged from name)Vincent Collopyaccused, Jonathan Collopy, 37, named, irish (judged from name)Jonathan Collopyvictim, Darren Wallace, male, irish (judged from name)Darren Wallacevictim, Jamie Wallace, male, irish (judged from name)Jamie Wallace