Ireland John Small (51) given suspended sentence for assaulting brother in bed in Longford
John Small, 51, of Coolarty, Co Longford, was sentenced at Longford Circuit Court to a two-year and six-month prison term, suspended for three years, for a section 3 assault causing harm to his brother Fred Small in August 2018, in which Fred's spleen was ruptured. He was ordered to pay €10,000 towards his brother's care.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced8 Aug
2 reports
Key facts
consolidated from all reports25 statements extracted from the articles
- whatFred received significant stomach injuries and damage to his abdominal and chest area. (longfordleader.ie)
- whatFred's spleen was ruptured. (longfordleader.ie)
- whatFred had bruises to his ribs. (longfordleader.ie)
- whatThe accused called the ambulance. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatThe victim suffered significant stomach injuries, damage to his abdominal and chest area, a ruptured spleen, and bruises to his ribs. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatThe victim was in hospital for two weeks but made a good recovery. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whereThe accused had an address in Coolarty, Co Longford. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whenThe attack occurred on a date between August 20 and 31, 2018. (longfordleader.ie)
- whenFred was taken to hospital and admitted to the Intensive Care Unit on August 31. (longfordleader.ie)
- whenThe assault occurred between August 20 and 31, 2018. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whenThe victim was taken to hospital on August 31 and admitted to the ICU. (offalyexpress.ie)
- chargeThe defendant was originally charged with section 4 assault causing serious harm, later commuted to section 3 assault causing harm. (longfordleader.ie)
- chargeHe was originally charged with section 4 assault causing serious harm. (offalyexpress.ie)
- chargeThe charge was commuted to section 3 assault causing harm. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtThe case was heard before Judge Kenneth Connolly at Longford Circuit Court. (longfordleader.ie)
- courtThe case was heard at Longford Circuit Court before Judge Kenneth Connolly. (offalyexpress.ie)
- sentenceJudge Connolly sentenced him to two years and six months in prison. (longfordleader.ie)
- sentenceThe sentence was suspended for three years due to 'exceptional mitigation'. (longfordleader.ie)
- sentenceHe was sentenced to two years and six months in prison. (offalyexpress.ie)
- sentenceThe sentence was suspended for three years. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherFred was incoherent in the ICU. (longfordleader.ie)
- otherFred was in hospital for two weeks but made a good recovery. (longfordleader.ie)
- otherMitigating factors included a guilty plea and no previous convictions. (longfordleader.ie)
- otherThe accused had no previous convictions. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherThe accused pleaded guilty. (offalyexpress.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 10 Aug2025Man in the Midlands seriously assaulted brother in bed over 'hygiene'
Sentencing report from Longford Circuit Court. John Small pleaded guilty to a commuted charge (from section 4 to section 3) and received a suspended sentence with a €10,000 compensation order.
victim, Fred Small, male, irish (judged from name)Fred Smallconvicted, John Small, 51, male, named, irish (judged from name)John Small - 8 Aug2025'Few kicks in the ribs' Longford man seriously assaulted brother in bed over 'hygiene'
Adds the presiding judge's name (Kenneth Connolly), the original section 4 charge commuted to section 3, the 'somewhat dysfunctional' living arrangement, the specific description of the assault as 'a few kicks in the ribs', ICU admission, incoherence, stomach/abdominal/chest injuries, bruises to ribs, two weeks in hospital, good recovery, guilty plea, no previous convictions, the 'de facto caring-style role' mitigation, and the specific use of the €10,000 for cleaning, redecorating and care.
victim, Fred Small, male, irish (judged from name)Fred Smallconvicted, John Small, 51, male, named, irish (judged from name)John Small