Saturday 31 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. 21425Assault causing serious harm · Co. Limerick · 22 Jul 2019

Convicted Limerick stabbing accused seeks new legal team before retrial

On 22 July 2019 in Limerick City, Jean Louise Fancony (39), a native of France, stabbed his flatmate Tim Crowley, an Irish man, several times with a large bread knife. In November 2020 Fancony was convicted of assault causing serious harm after pleading not guilty and claiming self-defence, and Judge Tom O'Donnell later sentenced him to seven and a half years. Fancony appealed the conviction, and the Court of Appeal reserved judgment after a hearing in January 2023. As of April 2023, Limerick Circuit Court had said the case would be retried, and Fancony wants to change his legal team ahead of the retrial.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court20 Apr
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Jean Louise Fancony was convicted in November 2020 of assault causing serious harm to Tim Crowley.
Where
The stabbing took place in Limerick City, where the two men were flatmates.
When
The assault happened on 22 July 2019.
Cause
Fancony had lost his job a number of months before the stabbing and had been acting strangely that day.
Weapon
Fancony stabbed Crowley several times with a large bread knife.
Other details
  • Tim Crowley is an Irish man who underwent life-saving surgery after the attack.
  • Jean Louise Fancony is a man aged 39 and a native of France.
Investigation
A passer-by raised the alarm when Crowley reached the street outside the Riverpoint apartment building.
Charges
Fancony was charged with and convicted of assault causing serious harm.
In court
  • Fancony pleaded not guilty and claimed self-defence at trial.
  • Fancony appealed the conviction, and the Court of Appeal reserved judgment after a hearing in January 2023.
  • Limerick Circuit Court said the case would now be retried.
  • Fancony wants to change his legal team ahead of the retrial.
Sentence
Judge Tom O'Donnell sentenced Fancony to seven and a half years for the stabbing.
11 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatFancony was convicted in November 2020 of assault causing serious harm to Tim Crowley. (limerickpost.ie)
  • whereThe stabbing of the flatmate took place in Limerick City. (limerickpost.ie)
  • whenThe assault happened on 22 July 2019. (limerickpost.ie)
  • causeFancony had lost his job a number of months before the stabbing. (limerickpost.ie)
  • weaponFancony stabbed Crowley several times with a large bread knife. (limerickpost.ie)
  • courtThe Court of Appeal reserved judgment on the appeal against conviction. (limerickpost.ie)
  • courtLimerick Circuit Court said the case would now be retried. (limerickpost.ie)
  • sentenceJudge Tom O’Donnell sentenced Fancony to seven and a half years for the stabbing. (limerickpost.ie)
  • otherFancony pleaded not guilty and claimed self-defence. (limerickpost.ie)
  • otherCrowley underwent life-saving surgery after the attack. (limerickpost.ie)
  • otherFancony wants to change his legal team ahead of the retrial. (limerickpost.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 20 Apr2023
    In courtlimerickpost.ie, first report
    Man convicted of Limerick stabbing wants to change legal team for retrial

    Reports the Court of Appeal reserved judgment on the conviction appeal, that Limerick Circuit Court said the case would be retried, and that Fancony wants to change his legal team ahead of the retrial.

    convicted, Jean Louise Fancony, 39, male, namedJean Louise Fanconyvictim, Tim Crowley, male, Irish, irishTim Crowley