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. 17795Public order offences · Co. Longford · 19 Nov 2023

Edgeworthstown man given chance to avoid conviction over pub public order charges

A fight broke out at Conefreys Bar in Edgeworthstown, Longford, on the night of November 19, 2023, after an argument between Michael Stokes' son and a son-in-law, and spilled into the street where two men were restrained and arrested by Gardaí. Michael Stokes, 66, of Edgeworthstown, was charged with engaging in threatening or abusive behaviour and public intoxication. At Longford District Court in March 2024, a co-accused was given the chance to make a €300 court poor box donation to avoid a conviction. Judge Bernadette Owens then adjourned Stokes' case to April 23, 2024, to allow him to save €350 for a similar poor box donation.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court1 Mar
    2 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A fight broke out at Conefreys Bar and spilled into the street, where two men were restrained and arrested by Gardaí.
Where
The disturbance occurred at Conefreys Bar, Edgeworthstown, Longford.
When
The incident took place on the night of November 19, 2023, with officers arriving at 12:10am.
Cause
The argument started between Stokes' son and a son-in-law in the pub.
Charges
Michael Stokes, 66, of Edgeworthstown, was charged with engaging in threatening or abusive behaviour and public intoxication.
In court
  • At Longford District Court, a co-accused was previously given the opportunity to make a €300 court poor box donation to avoid a conviction.
  • Judge Bernadette Owens adjourned Stokes' matter to April 23, 2024, to allow him to save €350 for a court poor box donation.
Other details
  • Stokes had four previous convictions, all for road traffic offences, the last in 2013.
  • Stokes' solicitor said he had expressed regret and shame about his behaviour.
20 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatMichael Stokes (66) of 2 Auburn Park, Edgeworthstown, Longford was facing two public order charges: engaging in threatening or abusive behaviour, and public intoxication. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatA fight broke out in the pub and spilled out into the street. (longfordleader.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
  • whatTwo males were threatening and aggressive and had to be restrained and arrested by Gardaí. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatOfficers arrived at 12:10am and found a fight in the street. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whatTwo males were threatening and aggressive and were restrained and arrested by gardaí. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whereGranard Garda station received a call regarding a disturbance at Conefreys Bar, Edgeworthstown. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whereGardaí received a call about a disturbance at Conefreys Bar, Edgeworthstown. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whenThe events took place on the night of November 19, 2023. (longfordleader.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
  • whenOfficers arrived on the scene at 12:10am. (longfordleader.ie)
  • causeThe row broke out after Stokes' son and a son-in-law got into an argument in the pub. (longfordleader.ie)
  • causeThe row started after Stokes's son and a son-in-law argued in the pub. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • chargeMichael Stokes was facing two public order charges. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • chargeThe charges were engaging in threatening or abusive behaviour and public intoxication. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtA co-accused was previously dealt with in the District Court and afforded the opportunity to make a court poor box donation of €300 to avoid a conviction. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtJudge Bernadette Owens adjourned the matter to April 23, 2024, to give Stokes an opportunity to save €350 for the court poor box. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtStokes had four previous convictions, all for road traffic offences, the last in 2013. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtJudge Bernadette Owens adjourned the matter to April 23, 2024, to let Stokes save €350 for the court poor box. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherStokes had four previous convictions, all for road traffic offences, the last one in 2013. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherHis solicitor said he had expressed regret and shame about his behaviour. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherA co-accused had earlier been given the chance to make a €300 court poor box donation to avoid a conviction. (offalyexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 24 Mar2024
    In courtoffalyexpress.ie, first report
    'Family get-together’ in the Midlands ends in arrests and court appearance

    Court report of the pub disturbance and charges against Michael Stokes. The matter was adjourned to April 23, 2024, to allow a €350 court poor box donation to avoid a conviction.

    accused, Michael Stokes, 66, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Stokes
  2. 1 Mar2024
    In courtlongfordleader.ie, follow-up
    Longford District Court: ‘Family get-together’ ends in arrests

    Provides details of the court hearing: Stokes' four previous road traffic convictions (last in 2013), the family context of the argument (son and son-in-law), the co-accused's prior €300 poor box donation, and the adjournment to April 23, 2024 for Stokes to save €350.

    suspect, Michael Stokes, 66, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Stokes