Case No. 2040Assault · Co. Leitrim · 26 Aug 2021
Dave Mahon acquitted of assaulting pensioner neighbour Jim Fahy
Dave Mahon, 53, a man from Carrick on Shannon, Co Leitrim, is accused of headbutting and punching his neighbour Jim Fahy, a 70-year-old man (some reports give his age as 73), during a barbecue at an address in Breffni Court on 26 August 2021. Mahon pleaded not guilty to a single charge of Section 3 assault causing harm, claiming self-defence. The case, first listed in 2021, experienced multiple adjournments before trial began at Carrick on Shannon Circuit Court on 19 March 2025 before Judge John Aylmer. Jim Fahy was never present in court, and the court heard that he had at one point stated he wanted to retract his statement. On 21 March 2025, Judge Aylmer directed the jury to sign a not guilty verdict, acquitting Mahon.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court18 Mar
4 reports - Acquitted21 Mar
- Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Dave Mahon, 53, of Breffni Crescent, Carrick on Shannon, is accused of assault causing harm to his neighbour Jim Fahy during a barbecue.
- Where
- The alleged assault occurred at an address in Breffni Court, Carrick on Shannon, Co Leitrim.
- When
- The alleged assault took place on 26 August 2021.
- Cause
- The incident began when Mahon made a joke about getting McDonald's and Fahy made remarks about Mahon's wife Audrey.
- Weapon
- Mahon headbutted Fahy and hit a few punches as they fell to the floor, leaving blood on the ground.
- Investigation
- A medical assessment found Fahy had a sustained nosebleed and his right eye was closed due to extensive bleeding.
- Charges
- Mahon pleaded not guilty to a single charge of Section 3 assault causing harm.
- In court
- The trial was held at Carrick on Shannon Circuit Court before Judge John Aylmer from 19 to 21 March 2025, after multiple adjournments due to Mahon's wife Audrey being unwell and receiving treatment in Sligo.
- Jim Fahy was never present in court, and the court heard that he had at one point stated he wanted to retract his statement.
- Sentence
- On 21 March 2025, Judge Aylmer directed the jury to sign a not guilty verdict, acquitting Mahon.
- Other details
- Mahon is the stepfather of missing teenager Amy Fitzpatrick and served time for the manslaughter of her brother Dean Fitzpatrick.
- Mahon claimed self-defence and said Fahy told him he did not want to press charges.
55 statements extracted from the articles
- whatDave Mahon is 53 and from Breffni Crescent, Carrick-on-Shannon (irishmirror.ie)
- whatDave Mahon is 53 years old (irishmirror.ie)
- whatJim Fahy is 70 years old (irishmirror.ie)
- whatDave Mahon, 53, of Breffni Crescent, Carrick on Shannon, Co Leitrim, is the accused. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatDave Mahon is accused of assault causing harm to his neighbour Jim Fahy during a barbecue (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe first witness, Noel Byrne, 48, was present at Fahy's home from about 4pm on the day of the incident (irishmirror.ie)
- whatDave Mahon and his wife Audrey were also at the barbecue (irishmirror.ie)
- whatDave Mahon was on top of Jim Fahy with blood on the floor (irishmirror.ie)
- whatMr Byrne recalled Mr Fahy putting the flat of his hand in front of Mr Mahon's face but claimed it did not make contact (irishmirror.ie)
- whatMahon headbutted Fahy, leaving him with two swollen black eyes. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatA medical assessment determined Fahy had a sustained nosebleed and his right eye was closed due to extensive bleeding. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatMahon and Fahy fell to the floor and Mahon hit a few punches on the way down. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatMahon claimed he had a cut on his nose from a punch he received. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereDave Mahon lives at Breffni Crescent, Carrick on Shannon, Co Leitrim (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe alleged assault occurred at an address in Breffni Court, Carrick on Shannon. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe alleged assault took place on 26 August 2021 (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe assault occurred at a barbeque on 26 August 2021. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeHe is accused of assault causing harm to Jim Fahy (70) in August 2021 (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeDave Mahon pleaded not guilty to a single charge of Section 3 assault causing harm (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeMahon pleaded not guilty to a single charge of Section 3 assault causing harm. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtDave Mahon appeared before Carrick on Shannon Circuit Court on 18 March 2025 (irishmirror.ie)
- courtDefence counsel told the judge the matter was ready to proceed for trial (irishmirror.ie)
- courtJudge John Aylmer set the trial for the following day (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe trial is expected to last three days (irishmirror.ie)
- courtAt a previous hearing last year the court was told the matter could not go ahead as Audrey was unwell (irishmirror.ie)
- courtJudge Aylmer granted an adjournment and the matter has been put back a number of times (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe trial is being held at Carrick on Shannon Circuit Court (irishmirror.ie)
- courtJudge John Aylmer is presiding over the trial (irishmirror.ie)
- courtA jury of six men and six women was sworn in (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe trial is expected to last two to three days (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe trial is before Carrick on Shannon Circuit Court. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe jury consists of six men and six women. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe trial was scheduled to last two to three days and could go into the following week. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtJim Fahy, the alleged victim, was not present in court. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe trial is being heard at Carrick on Shannon Circuit Court (irishmirror.ie)
- courtPeter Nolan SC is defending Dave Mahon (irishmirror.ie)
- courtDave Mahon was acquitted of assaulting Jim Fahy at Carrick on Shannon Circuit Court. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtJudge John Aylmer directed the jury to sign a not guilty verdict. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe case was first listed in 2021. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe case had experienced a number of delays (irishmirror.ie)
- otherDave Mahon is married to Audrey Mahon (irishmirror.ie)
- otherEoin McGovern BL is acting for Dave Mahon (irishmirror.ie)
- otherDave Mahon's wife is receiving treatment in Sligo (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe alleged victim Jim Fahy is not present in court (irishmirror.ie)
- otherMahon's wife Audrey is present in court (irishmirror.ie)
- otherMahon's wife Audrey was present in court. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherMahon claimed self defence for the assault. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherMahon is the stepfather of missing teenager Amy Fitzpatrick. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherMahon served time for the manslaughter of Dean Fitzpatrick. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherFahy stated at one point that he wanted to retract his statement. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe incident started when Mahon made a joke about getting McDonalds and Fahy made remarks about Mahon's wife Audrey. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherWitness Noel Byrne was stopped in the street by an undercover garda who told him he would be arrested if he did not comply with a court summons. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherFahy had been in hospital for 53 days for an illness not related to the case. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherFahy was in a medical ward of Sligo University Hospital with a plan to transfer him to a step down service or nursing home. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherMahon said Fahy told him he did not want to press charges. (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 21 Mar2025Convicted killer Dave Mahon acquitted of assaulting pensioner neighbour
Reports the acquittal of Dave Mahon at Carrick on Shannon Circuit Court, including the judge's reasoning, the absence of the alleged victim, limited witness evidence, and Mahon's account of the barbeque incident.
accused, Dave Mahon, 53, male, named, irish (judged from name)Dave Mahonvictim, Jim Fahy, 73, male, irish (judged from name)Jim Fahy - 20 Mar2025Dave Mahon assault trial: Witness claims pensioner was repeatedly punched
Reports the first day of the trial where witness Noel Byrne gave evidence about the headbutt and punches, and defence counsel Peter Nolan SC cross-examined him on his memory, drinking, and the sequence of events.
accused, Dave Mahon, 53, male, named, irish (judged from name)Dave Mahonvictim, Jim Fahy, 73, male, irish (judged from name)Jim Fahy - 19 Mar2025Jury in Dave Mahon trial over alleged assault told to return to court tomorrow
Trial commenced on 19 March 2025; Mahon pleaded not guilty. The jury of six men and six women was empanelled but adjourned to 10:30am the next day due to difficulties in calling evidence. Jim Fahy was not present in court. The trial was expected to last two to three days.
victim, Jim Fahy, 73, male, irish (judged from name)Jim Fahyaccused, Dave Mahon, 53, male, named, irish (judged from name)Dave Mahon - 19 Mar2025Jury sworn in at trial of Dave Mahon who pleads not guilty over alleged assault
Jury sworn in at the start of the trial; Mahon pleads not guilty; trial expected to last two to three days; victim not present in court; Mahon's wife Audrey in attendance.
victim, Jim Fahy, 70, male, irish (judged from name)Jim Fahyaccused, Dave Mahon, 53, male, named, irish (judged from name)Dave Mahon - 18 Mar2025Dave Mahon to go on trial tomorrow for alleged assault
Reports that the trial was set for 19 March 2025 after multiple adjournments due to the accused's wife being unwell; trial expected to last three days; defence counsel Eoin McGovern BL told the court the matter was ready to proceed.
accused, Dave Mahon, 53, male, named, irish (judged from name)Dave Mahonvictim, Jim Fahy, 70, male, irish (judged from name)Jim Fahy