Ireland Husband and wife to be sentenced in May over 2018 Granard garda dog and slash hook incident
On 3 December 2018 at Ferriskill in Granard, County Longford, Edward 'Blondie' Stokes, a man, and his wife Sharon Stokes, a woman, were involved in an incident involving Inspector Garda Tom Quinn, then a sergeant at Granard Garda Station. Edward Stokes pleaded guilty to permitting a dog under his control to attack Tom Quinn, and Sharon Stokes pleaded guilty to producing a slash hook, an article capable of inflicting serious injury, during the same incident. After the 12 jurors were disbanded when the couple changed their pleas at the last minute, Judge Jonathan Dunphy ordered a Victim Impact Statement. Sentencing scheduled for 27 February 2026 was adjourned to 19 May because Judge Kenneth Connolly was unavailable, and Sharon Stokes was remanded on bail to that date, while Edward Stokes, who is serving a sentence at Castlerea Prison on another matter, is to be produced before the court that day.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court27 Feb
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Edward 'Blondie' Stokes and Sharon Stokes of Ferriskill, Granard, pleaded guilty to charges arising from offences committed on 3 December 2018.
- Where
- The incident took place at Ferriskill in Granard, County Longford.
- When
- The offences were committed on 3 December 2018.
- Charges
- Edward Stokes pleaded guilty to permitting a dog under his control to attack Inspector Garda Tom Quinn.
- Sharon Stokes pleaded guilty to producing an article capable of inflicting serious injury, namely a slash hook, during the same incident.
- Weapon
- The article in the charge against Sharon Stokes was a slash hook.
- Other details
- Tom Quinn was a sergeant at Granard Garda Station at the time of the incident.
- A jury had been empanelled, but the 12 jurors were disbanded after the couple changed their pleas to guilty at the last minute.
- Edward Stokes is serving a sentence at Castlerea Prison on another matter.
- In court
- Judge Jonathan Dunphy ordered a Victim Impact Statement.
- Sentencing set for 27 February 2026 was adjourned to 19 May because Judge Kenneth Connolly was unavailable.
- Sharon Stokes was remanded on the same bail terms to 19 May, and a production order directs Castlerea Prison to produce Edward Stokes before the court that day.
- Sentence
- No sentence has been imposed yet, and both defendants are due to be sentenced on 19 May.
12 statements extracted from the articles
- whatEdward 'Blondie' Stokes and Sharon Stokes pleaded guilty to charges arising from offences committed on 3 December 2018. (longfordleader.ie)
- whereThe incident occurred at Ferriskill in Granard. (longfordleader.ie)
- whenThe offences were committed on 3 December 2018. (longfordleader.ie)
- chargeEdward Stokes pleaded guilty to permitting a dog under his control to attack Inspector Garda Tom Quinn, then a sergeant at Granard Garda Station. (longfordleader.ie)
- chargeSharon Stokes pleaded guilty to producing an article capable of inflicting serious injury, namely a slash hook, during the same incident. (longfordleader.ie)
- courtJudge Jonathan Dunphy ordered a Victim Impact Statement. (longfordleader.ie)
- courtSentencing was scheduled for 27 February 2026 but was adjourned because Judge Kenneth Connolly was unavailable. (longfordleader.ie)
- courtSharon Stokes was remanded on the same bail terms to 19 May. (longfordleader.ie)
- courtA production order directs Castlerea Prison to produce Edward Stokes before the court on 19 May. (longfordleader.ie)
- otherInspector Garda Tom Quinn was a sergeant at Granard Garda Station at the time of the incident. (longfordleader.ie)
- otherA jury had been empanelled, but the 12 jurors were disbanded after the couple changed their pleas to guilty at the last minute. (longfordleader.ie)
- otherEdward Stokes is serving a sentence at Castlerea Prison on another matter. (longfordleader.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 27 Feb2026Longford woman who brandished slash hook as husband set dog on garda both to be sentenced in May
Reports both defendants' guilty pleas, the Victim Impact Statement order, the adjournment of sentencing to 19 May, Edward Stokes's custody at Castlerea Prison on another matter, and Sharon Stokes's remand on bail.
convicted, Edward 'Blondie' Stokes, male, named, irish (judged from name)Edward 'Blondie' Stokesconvicted, Sharon Stokes, female, named, irish (judged from name)Sharon Stokesvictim, Tom Quinn, irish (judged from name)Tom Quinn