Thursday 29 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. 9795Assault causing harm · Co. Dublin · 6 Oct 2024

Dublin man given community service for hammer attack at Howth pub

On 6 October 2024, at The Bloody Stream pub at Howth Railway Station in County Dublin, Clive McCarthy, a 45-year-old man, was refused entry, pushed a female customer, and attacked the security guard. He later returned in disguise armed with a hammer and struck the security man on the forearm and hand. McCarthy was identified and arrested some time later, and he pleaded guilty to two charges of assault causing harm and one charge of assault. At Dublin Circuit Criminal Court he was sentenced to 240 hours of community service in lieu of a two-year sentence, with two years to complete it, and the sentencing was reported in May 2026.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced1 May
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • McCarthy was refused entry to the pub earlier that night and attacked the security guard.
  • McCarthy pushed a female customer.
  • McCarthy struck the security man, who had pinned him to a car, on the forearm and hand with a hammer.
Where
The offences took place at The Bloody Stream pub at Howth Railway Station, County Dublin.
When
  • The offences took place on 6 October 2024.
  • The sentencing was reported in May 2026, with the tracker dating the article 1 May 2026 and the article itself timestamped 8 May 2026.
Weapon
McCarthy returned to the pub in disguise and armed with a hammer.
Investigation
McCarthy was identified and arrested some time later.
Other details
  • McCarthy threatened to shoot and kneecap staff as he walked away and issued further threats when he left the pub again.
  • The victims suffered superficial injuries such as bruising and swelling.
  • McCarthy had 18 previous convictions, including for public order and road traffic offences.
  • The judge said McCarthy's probation report was positive and that he was now the carer for his widowed brother.
Cause
McCarthy was intoxicated, having taken alcohol and cocaine.
Charges
McCarthy pleaded guilty to two charges of assault causing harm and one charge of assault.
In court
McCarthy was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Sentence
The court imposed 240 hours of community service in lieu of a two-year sentence, with two years to complete it.
15 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatMcCarthy was refused entry to the pub earlier that night and attacked the security guard. (thejournal.ie)
  • whatMcCarthy assaulted a female customer by pushing her. (thejournal.ie)
  • whatMcCarthy struck the security man who had pinned him to a car on the forearm and hand with the hammer. (thejournal.ie)
  • whereThe offences took place at The Bloody Stream pub at Howth Railway Station. (thejournal.ie)
  • whenThe offences took place on 6 October 2024. (thejournal.ie)
  • weaponMcCarthy returned to the pub in disguise and armed with a hammer. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationMcCarthy was identified and arrested some time later. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeMcCarthy pleaded guilty to two charges of assault causing harm and one charge of assault. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceThe court imposed 240 hours of community service in lieu of a two-year sentence, with two years to complete it. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherMcCarthy threatened to shoot and kneecap the staff as he walked away. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherMcCarthy left the pub again while issuing further threats. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherThe victims suffered superficial injuries such as bruising and swelling. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherMcCarthy was intoxicated at the time, having taken alcohol and cocaine. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherMcCarthy had 18 previous convictions, including for public order and road traffic offences. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherThe judge said McCarthy's probation report was positive and that he was now the carer for his widowed brother. (thejournal.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 1 May2026
    Sentencedthejournal.ie, first report
    Dublin man who returned to Howth pub in disguise and armed with hammer gets community service

    Reports the sentencing of McCarthy at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, where he received 240 hours of community service after pleading guilty to the offences.

    convicted, Clive McCarthy, 45, male, named, irish (judged from name)Clive McCarthyvictim, malevictim, female