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. 16924Assault · Co. Offaly · 2 Jun 2023

Father and son fined over Edenderry assault on man

Dawid Ostasz (23) and his father Wojiech Ostasz (45), both of Edenderry, were involved in an altercation with Mark McDonagh at Georges Bridge, Drumcooley, Edenderry, on 2 June 2023. Both men pleaded guilty at Tullamore District Court to assaulting Mr McDonagh, causing him harm, and Wojiech Ostasz also pleaded guilty to producing an axe during the dispute, while a charge against Dawid Ostasz of causing fear by producing a large stick was withdrawn. Judge Cody, who heard the details in February, said the men made racist assumptions and decided to pursue the victim. In June 2024 the judge fined each man €750 with six months to pay, and the sources differ on the compensation paid.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced13 Jun
    2 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Both men pleaded guilty to assaulting Mark McDonagh, causing him harm.
  • Wojiech Ostasz pleaded guilty to producing an axe during a dispute.
Where
The altercation took place at Georges Bridge, Drumcooley, Edenderry, Co Offaly.
When
The altercation took place on 2 June 2023.
Cause
The men were suspicious of the victim after items went missing from their property, and they followed him in a car and caught up with him.
Weapon
  • The defence said Mr McDonagh produced a baseball bat wrapped in tape.
  • A hammer caused injuries to one of the men; the defence said it was his hand, while another source says Wojiech Ostasz suffered a broken nose from the hammer.
Investigation
Gardaí received a report of males fighting in Edenderry and recovered a large stick and other items.
Charges
A charge against Dawid Ostasz of causing fear by producing a large stick was withdrawn by the prosecution.
In court
  • The men pleaded guilty at Tullamore District Court, and the details were set out before Judge Cody in February.
  • Judge Cody said the men made racist assumptions, decided to pursue the victim, and that there were racist overtones in the assault.
Sentence
  • Judge Cody fined each man €750 with six months to pay, and no extra penalty was imposed for the axe offence because it was taken into consideration.
  • Sources differ on compensation: one says sentencing was adjourned for each man to pay €1,500, while another says both men brought €500 to court and Dawid Ostasz had paid €1,500.
Other details
  • Mr McDonagh received a cut to the top of his head that required hospital treatment and staples, leaving a scar.
  • According to his solicitor, Dawid Ostasz was working full-time and had no previous convictions.
34 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatBoth men admitted assaulting Mark McDonagh, causing him harm. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whatWojiech Ostasz pleaded guilty to producing an axe in the course of a dispute. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whatA father and son were fined €750 each for assaulting a man. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whereThe altercation took place at Georges Bridge, Drumcooley, Edenderry. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whenThe altercation took place on June 2 of the previous year. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whenThe altercation took place on June 2 of last year. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • causeThe men had been suspicious of the victim and there had been a history of items going missing from their property. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • causeThe men followed the victim in a car and caught up with him. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • weaponThe defence said Mr McDonagh produced a baseball bat with tape wrapped around it. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • weaponThe defence said injuries to one of the men's hands were caused by a hammer. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • weaponWojiech Ostasz pleaded guilty to producing an axe during the dispute. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • weaponA hammer caused injuries to one of the men. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • investigationGardaí received a report about a number of males fighting in Edenderry and recovered a large stick and other items. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • investigationGardaí received a report of males fighting in Edenderry and recovered a large stick and other items. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • chargeA charge against Dawid Ostasz of causing fear by producing a large stick was withdrawn by the prosecution. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • chargeA charge against Dawid Ostasz of causing fear by producing a large stick was withdrawn. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtThe details of the incident were set out before Judge Cody in February. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtJudge Cody said the father and son had made racist assumptions and decided to pursue the victim. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtJudge Cody said there were racist overtones in the assault. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtThe men pleaded guilty at Tullamore District Court. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • sentenceJudge Cody imposed €750 fines on the men. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • sentenceThe men were given six months to pay the fines. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • sentenceNo extra penalty was imposed on Wojiech Ostasz for producing an axe because that offence was taken into consideration. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • sentenceEach man was fined €750 and given six months to pay. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • sentenceNo extra penalty was imposed for producing an axe because that offence was taken into consideration. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • sentenceSentencing was adjourned for the men to pay €1,500 each in compensation. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherMark McDonagh received a cut to the top of his head that required hospital treatment. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherWojiech Ostasz received a broken nose from the hammer. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe victim had a scar, and a previous court sitting heard he required staples to his head. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherDawid Ostasz was working full-time and had no previous convictions, according to his solicitor. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherDawid Ostasz had paid €1,500 in compensation. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherBoth men had brought €500 to court as compensation. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe victim needed staples to his head after the assault. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe judge said the father and son had made racist assumptions and decided to pursue the victim. (offalyexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 18 Jun2024
    Sentencedoffalyexpress.ie, first report
    Father and son in Offaly 'racist assumptions' assault fined

    Sentencing report: each man fined €750 with six months to pay; a charge against Dawid Ostasz was withdrawn; the judge commented on racist assumptions; details of the incident and the hammer and axe are given.

    convicted, Dawid Ostasz, 23, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Dawid Ostaszconvicted, Wojiech Ostasz, 45, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Wojiech Ostaszvictim, Mark McDonagh, male, irish (judged from name)Mark McDonagh
  2. 13 Jun2024
    Sentencedoffalyexpress.ie, follow-up
    Father and son in Offaly 'racist assumptions' assault fined €750 each

    Reports the sentencing at Tullamore District Court: each man fined €750 with six months to pay, a charge against Dawid Ostasz withdrawn, and no extra penalty for Wojiech Ostasz's axe offence.

    victim, Mark McDonagh, male, irish (judged from name)Mark McDonaghconvicted, Dawid Ostasz, 23, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Dawid Ostaszconvicted, Wojiech Ostasz, 45, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Wojiech Ostasz