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. 9036Serious assault and false imprisonment · Co. Louth

Hammer attacker's jail term increased on appeal, Dundalk

In Dundalk, County Louth, Gerard Stokes (44) and Samantha Campbell (37) were convicted by a jury at Dundalk Circuit Court after a trial in February 2024 over a three-hour hammer attack on a woman, which a judge described as a punishment beating over alleged missing drugs. Judge Dara Hayes jailed Stokes for 13 and a half years with two years suspended, and Campbell received a ten-year sentence. The Court of Appeal, hearing a review sought by the State, found Stokes's sentence unduly lenient and ruled Campbell's sentence was not too lenient. On 17 June 2026 the Court of Appeal resentenced Stokes to 14 and a half years with one year suspended, an increase of two years.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced17 Jun
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Gerard Stokes (44) and Samantha Campbell (37) were convicted of serious assault and false imprisonment.
Where
The hammer attack took place at Stokes's home in Dundalk, County Louth.
When
The articles do not give the date of the hammer attack, which lasted about three hours.
Cause
The attack was described as a punishment beating over alleged missing drugs.
Weapon
Stokes picked up a hammer and struck the woman several times on her body.
Other details
  • The woman was tied up, threatened with death, and forced into a black bin bag, which Stokes pulled closed by the drawcord.
  • The woman lost her right eye and was left blind in one eye.
Charges
  • Stokes and Campbell were convicted by a jury at Dundalk Circuit Court after a trial in February 2024.
  • Stokes and Campbell also assaulted a second woman and carried out an aggravated burglary at her home on 5 December 2018.
In court
  • The Director of Public Prosecutions sought a review of the sentences on the ground that they were unduly lenient, and the Court of Appeal found Stokes's sentence was unduly lenient.
  • The Court of Appeal found Campbell was an instigator and enthusiastic participant in the attacks.
Sentence
  • At trial, Judge Dara Hayes jailed Stokes for 13 and a half years with two years suspended.
  • Campbell received a ten-year sentence, which the Court of Appeal ruled was not too lenient.
  • On 17 June 2026 the Court of Appeal resentenced Stokes to 14 and a half years with one year suspended.
14 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe State's appeal increased Stokes's jail sentence by two years. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whereThe assault on the woman took place at Stokes's home. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • causeThe attack was described as a punishment beating over alleged missing drugs. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • weaponStokes picked up a hammer and struck the woman a number of times on her body. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • chargeStokes and Campbell were convicted by a jury at Dundalk Circuit Court after a trial in February 2024. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • chargeStokes and Campbell also assaulted a second woman and carried out an aggravated burglary at her home on December 5, 2018. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtThe Court of Appeal found Stokes's 13-and-a-half-year sentence with two years suspended was unduly lenient. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtThe Court of Appeal found Campbell was an instigator and enthusiastic participant in the attacks. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtThe Court of Appeal was asked to review the sentences on the grounds that they were unduly lenient. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • sentenceThe Court of Appeal resentenced Stokes to 14 and a half years, with one year suspended. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • sentenceThe Court of Appeal ruled that Campbell's ten-year sentence was not too lenient. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • sentenceAt trial, Judge Dara Hayes jailed Stokes for 13 and a half years with two years suspended. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • otherThe woman was forced into a black bin bag, and Stokes pulled the drawcord closed. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • otherThe woman lost her right eye in the attack. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 17 Jun2026
    Sentenceddundalkdemocrat.ie, first report
    Jail term increased for hammer attacker who blinded Louth grandmother in one eye

    Court of Appeal ruling on sentence review. Stokes's sentence was increased to 14 and a half years with one suspended, and Campbell's ten-year sentence was upheld. The article does not give the date of the hammer attack.

    convicted, Gerard Stokes, 44, male, named, irish (judged from name)Gerard Stokesconvicted, Samantha Campbell, 37, female, named, irish (judged from name)Samantha Campbellvictim, femalevictim, female