Friday 30 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. 14681Assault causing harm and false imprisonment · Co. Louth · 7 May 2023

Dundalk man pleads guilty to assault causing harm and false imprisonment

Between 7 and 8 May 2023, a man was assaulted at Earls Court, Armagh Road, Dundalk, and the assault was livestreamed on Facebook. Gardaí and members of the Armed Support Unit forced entry to a local address, and Declan Grimes, 38, was later charged with false imprisonment and assault causing harm. In February 2025, Grimes pleaded guilty at Dundalk Circuit Court, where the defence sought an adjournment for a psychological report. The judge remanded him in custody to 11 April to finalise the matter.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Convicted6 Feb
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A man was assaulted, and the assault was livestreamed on Facebook.
Where
The incident took place at Earls Court, Armagh Road, Dundalk, County Louth.
When
The incident took place on 7 and 8 May 2023.
Weapon
The victim was hit with steel curtain hooks and a glass bowl.
Investigation
  • The victim's sister recognised the address from a photo on Snapchat and alerted gardaí.
  • Members of the Armed Support Unit forced entry to a local address after the live stream.
Charges
Declan Grimes pleaded guilty to false imprisonment and assault causing harm.
In court
  • The case was heard at Dundalk Circuit Court, and the guilty plea was reported on 6 February 2025.
  • The defence sought an adjournment for a psychological report.
  • The judge remanded the defendant in custody to 11 April to finalise the matter.
Other details
  • The defendant has 76 previous convictions, including assault causing harm.
  • The defendant has an address at Grange Drive, Muirhevnamor, Dundalk.
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA man was seriously assaulted, and the assault was livestreamed on Facebook. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whereThe incident happened at Earls Court, Armagh Road, Dundalk. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whenThe incident happened on 7 and 8 May 2023. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • weaponThe victim was hit with steel curtain hooks and a glass bowl. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • investigationMembers of the Armed Support Unit forced entry to a local address. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • chargeThe defendant pleaded guilty to false imprisonment and assault causing harm. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtThe case was heard at Dundalk Circuit Court. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtThe defence sought an adjournment for a psychological report. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtThe judge remanded the defendant in custody to 11 April to finalise the matter. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • otherThe defendant had 76 previous convictions, including assault causing harm. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 6 Feb2025
    Convicteddundalkdemocrat.ie, first report
    Vicious assault of a man in Dundalk live streamed on social media

    Reports the guilty plea at Dundalk Circuit Court, the livestreaming of the assault, the defendant's previous convictions, and remand in custody to 11 April.

    victim, maleconvicted, Declan Grimes, 38, male, named, irish (judged from name)Declan Grimes