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. 5584Assault · Co. Dublin · 31 Dec 2022

Diarmuid Connolly avoids conviction over New Year's Eve assault in Santry

On 31 December 2022 Diarmuid Connolly, a 36-year-old man, assaulted Stephen Grimes and Stephen Kiely on Shantalla Road in Santry, Dublin. Mr Grimes was punched on the face after going to Mr Kiely's aid, and Mr Kiely said he was punched and dragged to the ground. Connolly pleaded guilty before Judge Michele Finan at Dublin District Court, and the case was adjourned when he delayed a €2,000 compensation payment. On 27 June 2024 the judge spared him a custodial sentence and an assault conviction and ordered him to pay €1,000 to each complainant.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced27 Jun
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Connolly admitted assaulting Stephen Grimes and Stephen Kiely.
  • Mr Grimes was punched on the right side of his face by Connolly after coming to Mr Kiely's aid.
  • Mr Kiely said he was punched and dragged to the ground by Connolly in an attack described as unprovoked.
  • The judge noted that both men suffered facial bruising and swelling.
Where
The assault happened on Shantalla Road in Santry, Dublin.
When
The assault happened on 31 December 2022.
Investigation
CCTV evidence from the area that night was obtained.
In court
  • Connolly pleaded guilty before Judge Michele Finan at Dublin District Court.
  • The judge noted that Connolly had no recorded convictions.
  • The case was adjourned when Connolly delayed a €2,000 compensation payment by four weeks.
Sentence
  • On 27 June 2024 Connolly was spared a custodial sentence and an assault conviction.
  • The judge ordered Connolly to pay €1,000 to each complainant.
12 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatConnolly admitted assaulting Stephen Grimes and Stephen Kiely. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatConnolly was spared a custodial sentence and an assault conviction. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatMr Grimes was punched on the right side of his face by Connolly after coming to Mr Kiely's aid. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe judge noted the two men suffered facial bruising and swelling. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe assault happened at Shantalla Road in Santry. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe assault happened on 31 December 2022. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeMr Kiely alleged that the assault was unprovoked and that he was punched and dragged to the ground by Connolly. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationCCTV evidence from the area that night was obtained. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtConnolly pleaded guilty before Judge Michele Finan. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe judge noted that Connolly had no recorded convictions. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe case was adjourned until Thursday when Connolly brought the compensation to court. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceThe judge told Connolly to pay €1,000 to each complainant. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 27 Jun2024
    Sentencedirishtimes.com, first report
    Former Dublin GAA star Diarmuid Connolly avoids conviction for ‘unprovoked’ New Year’s Eve attack

    Reports the sentencing hearing at Dublin District Court, where Connolly avoided a custodial sentence and an assault conviction and was ordered to pay €1,000 to each complainant. Adds the hearing details and the Garda evidence presented.

    accused, Diarmuid Connolly, 36, male, named, irish (judged from name)Diarmuid Connollyvictim, Stephen Grimes, male, irish (judged from name)Stephen Grimesvictim, Stephen Kiely, male, irish (judged from name)Stephen Kiely