Ireland Case No. 17790Violent disorder; endangerment; production of an article · Co. Longford · 7 Oct 2018
Jail term increased for violent disorder at Granard pub
Edward 'Blondie' Stokes, 32, a man from Ferriskill, Granard, Co Longford, was re-sentenced on 21 March 2024 after the Court of Appeal quashed his original sentence for violent disorder. Stokes was convicted in January 2023 of striking 27-year-old man John Baxter up to 20 times with a shillelagh at Kane's Bar, Granard, on 7 October 2018, following a nine-day trial at Longford Circuit Criminal Court. He had been arrested in January 2019 and charged with violent disorder, endangerment, production of an article, and affray, to which he pleaded not guilty. The Court of Appeal, hearing a State appeal on grounds of undue leniency, increased his jail term by four years to seven years with the final six months suspended, leaving six and a half years to serve.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court13 Jan
- Convicted25 Jan
3 reports - Sentenced27 Jan
6 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Stokes struck Baxter up to 20 times with a shillelagh during a near three-minute attack.
- Where
- The incident occurred at Kane's Bar, Main Street, Granard, Co Longford.
- When
- The attack took place at around 1:30pm on 7 October 2018.
- Cause
- The prosecution described the attack as a premeditated joint enterprise.
- Weapon
- Stokes struck Baxter with a shillelagh and was also seen with a pick handle.
- Investigation
- Stokes was arrested in January 2019 and identified on CCTV by Sgt Ollie Walsh, with a forearm tattoo matching a still from the footage.
- Charges
- Stokes was charged with violent disorder, endangerment, production of an article, and affray, to which he pleaded not guilty.
- In court
- A nine-day trial at Longford Circuit Criminal Court before Judge Kenneth Connolly ended in January 2023 with unanimous guilty verdicts on all four counts.
- Sentence
- Stokes was originally sentenced in January 2023 to three years with six months suspended for violent disorder, plus concurrent sentences of two years three months for endangerment and 18 months for production of an article.
- On 21 March 2024, the Court of Appeal quashed the original sentence on a State undue leniency appeal and re-sentenced Stokes to seven years with the final six months suspended, leaving six and a half years to serve.
- Other details
- Baxter sustained lacerations to his head and bruising to both arms and legs, and was left in a pool of blood on the pub floor.
- Stokes had 17 previous convictions, including two for assault.
118 statements extracted from the articles
- whatEdward 'Blondie' Stokes, 32, of Ferriskill, Granard, Co Longford is on trial. (longfordleader.ie)
- whatScene photos included an overturned table, seat and two stools lying on their side. (longfordleader.ie)
- whatStokes was found guilty of striking Baxter up to 20 times with a blunt instrument (irishtimes.com, offalyexpress.ie)
- whatBaxter sustained lacerations to his head and bruising to both arms and legs (irishtimes.com, longfordleader.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
- whatThe incident lasted nearly three minutes and was shown to the jury on video (irishtimes.com)
- whatBaxter had been drinking for the entire week before the incident (irishtimes.com)
- whatFormer Longford garda Sgt Ollie Walsh identified Stokes on CCTV within seconds of viewing (irishtimes.com)
- whatCCTV footage of the near three-minute incident was played to the jury over the nine-day trial. (longfordleader.ie)
- whatBaxter said he had been drinking for the entire week before the incident. (longfordleader.ie)
- whatBaxter sustained cuts to his head and bruising to both arms and legs. (irishtimes.com)
- whatBaxter was left in a pool of blood on the floor of the pub. (irishtimes.com, offalyexpress.ie)
- whatVideo footage of the near three minute incident was played to the jury. (irishtimes.com, offalyexpress.ie)
- whatBaxter picked up a stool to defend himself during the attack. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe men left the pub and then re-entered armed with weapons to attack Baxter again. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe assault involved about 20 or more blows to Baxter with a shillelagh. (longfordleader.ie)
- whatBaxter sustained lacerations to his head and bruising to both arms and legs, and was left in a pool of blood on the floor. (longfordleader.ie)
- whatThe attack was described as savage and brutal (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatBaxter picked up a stool to defend himself (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatAnother man struck Baxter across the head with a wooden bat (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatBaxter saw Stokes with a pick handle as he was falling (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatBoth men continued to beat Baxter while he lay defenceless on the ground (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatBaxter had been drinking for the entire week running up to the incident (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatSgt Ollie Walsh identified Stokes on CCTV footage within seconds of viewing it (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatThe attack involved about 20 or more blows to Baxter with a shillelagh (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatBaxter was a 27-year-old part-time farmer from Cavan (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatThe attack was described as a frenzied assault involving about 20 or more blows. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatThe victim sustained lacerations to his head and bruising to both arms and legs. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatStokes struck Baxter up to 20 times with a shillelagh during a pub attack. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatThe judge described the attack as frenzied and involving about 20 or more blows. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatThe attack involved about 20 or more blows to John Baxter. (longfordleader.ie)
- whereThe incident occurred at Kane's Bar, Main Street, Granard, Co Longford. (longfordleader.ie)
- whereThe attack took place at Kane's Bar, Main Street, Granard, Co Longford (offalyexpress.ie)
- whereStokes was interviewed at Granard Garda Station (offalyexpress.ie)
- whereThe assault took place at Kane's Bar on Main Street, Granard. (leinsterexpress.ie, longfordleader.ie)
- whereThe assault took place at Kane's Bar on Main Street in Granard. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whenThe incident took place on 7 October 2018. (longfordleader.ie)
- whenThe attack occurred on 7 October 2018 (irishtimes.com, offalyexpress.ie)
- whenThe assault occurred on 7 October 2018. (irishtimes.com)
- whenBaxter was set upon at about 1.30pm. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe attack took place at Kane's Bar, Main Street, Granard, on 7 October 2018. (longfordleader.ie)
- whenBaxter was set upon by two men at around 1:30pm (offalyexpress.ie)
- whenThe tattoo was etched onto Stokes' arm prior to the 7 October incident (offalyexpress.ie)
- whenStokes was arrested in January 2019 (offalyexpress.ie)
- whenThe attack occurred on 7 October 2018 at around 1:30pm (offalyexpress.ie)
- whenThe assault took place during lunchtime on 7 October 2018. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whenThe attack happened at lunchtime on 7 October 2018. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whenThe Court of Appeal decision was delivered on Thursday, 21 March 2024. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whenThe attack took place during lunchtime on October 7, 2018. (longfordleader.ie)
- causeThe prosecution said the attack was a premeditated joint enterprise. (offalyexpress.ie)
- weaponStokes was seen with a pick handle during the attack (irishtimes.com)
- weaponStokes was seen with a pick handle when he re-entered the pub. (longfordleader.ie)
- weaponStokes struck the victim up to 20 times with a shillelagh. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- weaponThe judge believed the blunt instrument used was a shillelagh. (offalyexpress.ie)
- investigationCartographer Liam Farrell was commissioned by gardaí to prepare a map of the main street in the aftermath of the incident. (longfordleader.ie)
- investigationGarda Ray Greenan from Longford garda station's crime scene examination unit gave evidence of taking photos from the scene on the day of the incident. (longfordleader.ie)
- investigationSgt Ollie Walsh identified Stokes on CCTV footage within seconds of viewing the recording. (longfordleader.ie)
- investigationSgt Walsh was called by Garda Peter Wallace in October 2022 to examine the footage. (longfordleader.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
- investigationA still from CCTV matched a photograph of Stokes' inner forearm showing a tattoo with the name 'Stokes'. (longfordleader.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
- investigationThe tattoo had been etched onto Stokes' arm prior to the October 7 incident. (longfordleader.ie)
- investigationStokes was arrested in January 2019 and interviewed at Granard Garda Station. (longfordleader.ie)
- investigationVideo footage of the near three-minute incident was played to the jury during the trial. (longfordleader.ie)
- investigationStokes was arrested in January 2019 and denied being the man on CCTV during interview at Granard garda station. (longfordleader.ie)
- investigationCCTV footage of the attack was played to the court. (longfordleader.ie)
- chargeHe pleaded not guilty to violent disorder, endangerment, brandishing a pick handle and affray. (longfordleader.ie)
- chargeA fourth count of affray was taken into consideration. (irishtimes.com, longfordleader.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
- courtThe trial is before Judge Kenneth Connolly. (longfordleader.ie)
- courtThe case is to resume before a jury of six women and five men after one juror was discharged for personal reasons. (longfordleader.ie)
- courtStokes was remanded in custody for sentencing to Longford Circuit Criminal Court on Friday (irishtimes.com)
- courtStokes was convicted at Longford Circuit Criminal Court on all four counts. (longfordleader.ie)
- courtA jury of five men and five women returned unanimous guilty verdicts on all four counts after an hour and 20 minutes. (longfordleader.ie)
- courtJudge Kenneth Connolly excused the jury from further service for five years. (longfordleader.ie)
- courtStokes was remanded in custody for sentencing at Longford Circuit Criminal Court on Friday. (longfordleader.ie)
- courtThe sentencing took place at Longford Circuit Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
- courtA jury of five men and five women found Stokes unanimously guilty on all counts after a nine-day trial. (longfordleader.ie)
- courtThe trial lasted nine days (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtA nine-day trial was held at Longford Circuit Criminal Court (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtA jury of five men and five women found Stokes unanimously guilty on all counts (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtStokes was found guilty on all counts by a unanimous jury after a nine-day trial at Longford Circuit Criminal Court. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtThe State appealed the sentence on grounds of undue leniency. (leinsterexpress.ie, offalyexpress.ie, longfordleader.ie)
- courtThe Court of Appeal sat on Thursday 21 March 2024 and said it would quash the original sentence and increase the jail term by four years. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtStokes was given a three-year sentence with the final six months suspended for violent disorder at Longford Circuit Criminal Court in January 2023. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtStokes pleaded not guilty, but a jury found him guilty on all counts after a nine-day trial. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtA jury found Stokes guilty on all counts after a nine-day trial at Longford Circuit Criminal Court. (longfordleader.ie)
- sentenceStokes was sentenced to three years with six months suspended for violent disorder. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceStokes was sentenced to two years and three months for endangerment. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceStokes was sentenced to 18 months for production of an article. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceAll sentences were to run concurrently. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceStokes was directed to enter into a 12 month peace bond as part of the suspended portion of his sentence. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceStokes was sentenced to three years with six months suspended for 12 months for violent disorder. (longfordleader.ie)
- sentenceAdditional sentences of two years three months for endangerment and 18 months for production of an article were imposed concurrently. (longfordleader.ie)
- sentenceStokes was directed to enter a 12-month peace bond as a condition of the suspended part of his sentence. (longfordleader.ie)
- sentenceStokes was sentenced to three years in prison with six months suspended for violent disorder (offalyexpress.ie)
- sentenceStokes received two years and three months for endangerment and 18 months for production of an article, running concurrently (offalyexpress.ie)
- sentenceStokes was directed to enter a 12-month peace bond as part of the suspended portion of his sentence (offalyexpress.ie)
- sentenceAt the original sentencing Stokes received three years with the final six months suspended for violent disorder. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- sentenceStokes was also sentenced to two years and three months for endangerment and 18 months for production of an article, concurrently. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- sentenceThe Court of Appeal set an appropriate headline sentence of eight years. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- sentenceStokes was re-sentenced to seven years' imprisonment with the final six months suspended, leaving six and a half years to serve. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- sentenceStokes was also sentenced to two years and three months for endangerment and 18 months for producing an article, to run concurrently. (offalyexpress.ie)
- sentenceThe Court of Appeal quashed the original sentence and increased the jail time by four years. (offalyexpress.ie)
- sentenceThe court set an appropriate headline sentence of eight years. (offalyexpress.ie)
- sentenceStokes's sentence was reduced to seven years' imprisonment with the final six months suspended, leaving six and a half years to serve. (offalyexpress.ie)
- sentenceStokes was originally given a three-year sentence with the final six months suspended for 12 months for violent disorder. (longfordleader.ie)
- sentenceStokes was also sentenced to two years and three months for endangerment and 18 months for the production of an article, to run concurrently. (longfordleader.ie)
- sentenceThe Court of Appeal quashed the original sentence and increased Stokes's jail time by four years. (longfordleader.ie)
- sentenceThe Court of Appeal reduced Stokes's sentence to seven years' imprisonment with the final six months suspended. (longfordleader.ie)
- otherStokes is a father of six with a seventh child imminent. (irishtimes.com)
- otherStokes runs a car sales business. (irishtimes.com)
- otherBarry White SC acted as counsel for Stokes. (irishtimes.com)
- otherBaxter filed an affidavit in September 2019 stating he could not confirm categorically the suspects identified in his initial garda statement. (longfordleader.ie)
- otherStokes had 17 previous convictions. (longfordleader.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
- otherStokes is a father of six and a car and light commercial vehicles businessman. (longfordleader.ie)
- otherStokes is a father of six (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherStokes was described as a car and light commercial vehicles businessman (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherA tattoo with the name 'Stokes' on his inner forearm matched a still from CCTV footage (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherStokes had two previous convictions for assault, which the court treated as aggravating. (leinsterexpress.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
- otherMr Baxter suffered lacerations to his head and bruising to both arms and legs. (longfordleader.ie)
- otherStokes had two previous convictions for assault. (longfordleader.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 25 Mar2024Longford father of six has jail sentence increased by four years for 'savage and vicious' Shillelagh pub assault
Reports the Court of Appeal's March 2024 ruling on a State appeal, increasing the original sentence from 2.5 years to six and a half years in jail. The case is a different incident from the Ferriskill dog attack cases.
convicted, Edward 'Blondie' Stokes, 33, male, named, irish (judged from name)Edward 'Blondie' Stokesvictim, John Baxter, 27, male, irish (judged from name)John Baxter - 22 Mar2024Father of six in the Midlands has jail sentence increased by four years for 'savage and vicious' shillelagh pub assault
Reports the State's successful undue-leniency appeal, the Court of Appeal's increase of the sentence by four years, and the re-sentencing to seven years with the final six months suspended, leaving six and a half years to serve. Also gives the prosecution's account of a premeditated joint enterprise and Stokes's two previous assault convictions.
victim, John Baxter, 27, male, irish (judged from name)John Baxterconvicted, Edward 'Blondie' Stokes, 33, male, named, irish (judged from name)Edward 'Blondie' Stokes - 21 Mar2024Jail time doubled for 'savage and vicious' assault with 'shillelagh' in Midlands pub
Reports the State's successful undue leniency appeal at the Court of Appeal on 21 March 2024. The court quashed the original sentence for violent disorder and re-sentenced Stokes to seven years with the final six months suspended, leaving six and a half years to serve.
convicted, Edward 'Blondie' Stokes, 33, male, named, irish (judged from name)Edward 'Blondie' Stokesvictim, John Baxter, 27, male, irish (judged from name)John Baxter - 28 Jan2023Father of six jailed for two and a half years for savage and vicious shillelagh attack on man in pub in the Midlands
Reports the original sentencing at Longford Circuit Criminal Court on 28 January 2023, where Stokes received a three-year term with six months suspended for violent disorder plus concurrent sentences for endangerment and production of an article, with affray taken into consideration. Includes trial details, CCTV identification evidence, and mitigation.
victim, John Baxter, 27, male, irish (judged from name)John Baxtersuspect, Edward 'Blondie' Stokes, 32, male, named, irish (judged from name)Edward 'Blondie' Stokes - 28 Jan2023Man found guilty of 'savage and brutal' in pub in the Midlands
Reports the jury verdict at the nine-day trial, including details of CCTV evidence, the victim's testimony and affidavit, a garda's identification of Stokes on footage, and defence arguments. Stokes was remanded in custody for sentencing.
victim, John Baxter, 27, male, irish (judged from name)John Baxtersuspect, Edward 'Blondie' Stokes, 32, male, named, irish (judged from name)Edward 'Blondie' Stokessuspect, male - 27 Jan2023BREAKING: Father of six jailed for two and a half years for "savage, vicious and sustained" shillelagh attack on man inside Longford pub
Reports the initial sentencing at Longford Circuit Criminal Court on 27 January 2023, including details of the nine-day trial, CCTV evidence, Sgt Walsh's identification, Baxter's affidavit casting doubt on identification, Stokes' denial in interview, and the judge's reasoning incorporating 17 previous convictions and mitigation.
victim, John Baxter, 27, male, irish (judged from name)John Baxterconvicted, Edward 'Blondie' Stokes, 32, male, named, irish (judged from name)Edward 'Blondie' Stokes - 27 Jan2023Man jailed over ‘frenzied’ assault in Co Longford pub
Reports the initial sentencing at Longford Circuit Criminal Court, including the specific concurrent sentences, the judge's description of the assault as 'frenzied', the injuries sustained by Baxter, the video evidence, Stokes' 17 previous convictions, and mitigation factors including the imminent birth of his seventh child and his car sales business.
victim, John Baxter, 27, male, irish (judged from name)John Baxterconvicted, Edward 'Blondie' Stokes, 32, male, named, irish (judged from name)Edward 'Blondie' Stokes - 25 Jan2023BREAKING: Longford man found guilty of "savage and brutal" attack on man inside Granard pub
Reports the jury verdict (unanimous guilty on all four counts after a nine-day trial), details of the attack as described by the victim, identification evidence including CCTV and a forearm tattoo, the victim's in-court difficulty identifying Stokes, and the remand for sentencing.
victim, John Baxter, 27, male, irish (judged from name)John Baxterconvicted, Edward 'Blondie' Stokes, 32, male, named, irish (judged from name)Edward 'Blondie' Stokes - 25 Jan2023Longford father-of-six found guilty of brutal pub attack
Reports the jury verdict and trial details: nine-day trial, CCTV evidence, victim's inability to positively identify Stokes in court, tattoo match, and remand in custody for sentencing.
victim, John Baxter, 27, male, irish (judged from name)John Baxterconvicted, Edward 'Blondie' Stokes, 32, male, named, irish (judged from name)Edward 'Blondie' Stokes - 13 Jan2023North Longford man goes on trial over Granard pub row
Trial in progress; opening evidence given by cartographer Liam Farrell (map of Main Street) and Garda Ray Greenan (scene photos showing overturned table, seat and two stools). One juror discharged for personal reasons; case to resume before a jury of six women and five men.
accused, Edward 'Blondie' Stokes, 32, male, named, irish (judged from name)Edward 'Blondie' Stokes