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. 9132Assault causing harm · Co. Offaly · 28 Aug 2023

Former boxer found guilty of assault at Birr nightclub, Offaly

On 28 August 2023, Christopher Kelly, a young man, was assaulted at Melba's night club in Birr, Co Offaly. Jack Deane (23), of Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary, was arrested and charged with the assault in November 2024. A first trial ended without a jury verdict, and at a retrial at Tullamore Circuit Court the jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict after one hour and 10 minutes of deliberation, reported on 11 June 2026. Deane was remanded on continuing bail, with sentencing set for 17 November, when a probation report and victim impact statement have been ordered.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Convicted11 Jun
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Jack Deane was found guilty of assaulting Christopher Kelly, another young man, in an Offaly nightclub.
  • Christopher Kelly suffered a broken jaw and damaged nose and shoulder after being punched three times.
Where
The assault took place at Melba's night club in Birr, Co Offaly.
When
The assault took place on 28 August 2023.
Other details
  • Jack Deane (23) is from Knockanacree, Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary.
  • Deane denied assaulting Kelly and told the court he acted in self defence when his punch broke Kelly's jaw.
Investigation
Deane was arrested and charged with the assault in November 2024.
In court
  • A first trial ended without a jury verdict, and the case was retried at Tullamore Circuit Court.
  • The jury deliberated for one hour and 10 minutes before returning a unanimous guilty verdict, reported on 11 June 2026.
Sentence
  • Deane was remanded on continuing bail for sentencing on 17 November.
  • A probation report and victim impact statement have been ordered ahead of sentencing.
9 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatJack Deane was found guilty of assaulting another young man in an Offaly nightclub. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whatChristopher Kelly suffered a broken jaw and damaged nose and shoulder after being punched three times. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whereThe assault took place at Melba's night club in Birr. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whenThe assault took place on 28 August 2023. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • chargeDeane was arrested and charged with the assault in November 2024. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtThe case was heard at a retrial at Tullamore Circuit Court. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtThe jury deliberated for one hour and 10 minutes before returning a unanimous guilty verdict. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • sentenceDeane was remanded on continuing bail for sentencing on 17 November. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherDeane's defence was that he acted in self defence. (offalyexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 11 Jun2026
    Convictedoffalyexpress.ie, first report
    Jury finds former champion boxer from Tipperary guilty of Offaly assault

    Reports the jury verdict at a retrial in Tullamore Circuit Court, the self-defence claim, and that sentencing is set for 17 November with a probation report and victim impact statement ordered.

    convicted, Jack Deane, 23, male, named, irish (judged from name)Jack Deanevictim, Christopher Kelly, 23, male, irish (judged from name)Christopher Kelly