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. 8416Assault causing harm · Co. Limerick · 6 Apr 2019

Limerick man sentenced over assault causing harm on former friend

On the night of 6 April 2019, Paul O'Donoghue, aged 40, of Lenihan Avenue, Prospect, Limerick, struck a former friend with a pool cue at about 4am, breaking his jaw. The night had begun at a friend's house at Oak Crescent in Newcastle West. O'Donoghue was arrested and charged on 26 May 2020, and was found guilty of assault causing harm and production of an article after a trial at Limerick Circuit Court. At sentencing, reported on 30 July 2026, Judge Fiona O'Sullivan imposed a two-year effective sentence with part suspended, backdated to 1 May 2026, when he entered custody.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced30 Jul
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Paul O'Donoghue was found guilty of assault causing harm and production of an article after a trial at Limerick Circuit Court.
  • The victim's jaw was broken and needed five hours of surgery.
When
The assault happened on the night of 6 April 2019, at about 4am.
Where
  • The night began at a friend's house at Oak Crescent in Newcastle West.
  • Paul O'Donoghue, aged 40, has an address at Lenihan Avenue, Prospect, Limerick.
Cause
O'Donoghue became suspicious that he was being talked about behind his back.
Weapon
O'Donoghue followed the victim outside and struck him with a pool cue.
Charges
O'Donoghue was arrested and charged on 26 May 2020.
In court
Judge Fiona O'Sullivan heard the case at Limerick Circuit Court.
Sentence
  • On the assault charge, the final 12 months of a headline sentence of three years and six months was suspended for one year.
  • On the production of an article charge, the final six months of a three-year headline sentence was suspended for one year.
  • Two bonds of €300 each were issued for both counts, and the sentences run concurrently.
  • The two-year effective sentence is backdated to 1 May 2026, when O'Donoghue entered custody.
Other details
O'Donoghue has 42 previous convictions.
15 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatPaul O’Donoghue was found guilty of assault causing harm and production of an article after a trial at Limerick Circuit Court. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whatAt about 4am O’Donoghue followed the victim outside and struck him with the pool cue. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whatThe victim’s jaw was broken and needed five hours of surgery. (limerickleader.ie)
  • wherePaul O’Donoghue has an address at Lenihan Avenue, Prospect, Limerick. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whereThe night began at a friend’s house at Oak Crescent in Newcastle West. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whenThe assault happened on the night of 6 April 2019. (limerickleader.ie)
  • causeO’Donoghue became suspicious that he was being talked about behind his back. (limerickleader.ie)
  • chargeO’Donoghue was arrested and charged on 26 May 2020. (limerickleader.ie)
  • courtJudge Fiona O’Sullivan heard the case at Limerick Circuit Court. (limerickleader.ie)
  • sentenceOn the assault charge, the judge suspended the final 12 months of a headline sentence of three years and six months for one year. (limerickleader.ie)
  • sentenceOn the production of an article charge, the judge suspended the final six months of a three-year headline sentence for one year. (limerickleader.ie)
  • sentenceTwo bonds of €300 each were issued in respect of both counts. (limerickleader.ie)
  • sentenceThe sentences run concurrently. (limerickleader.ie)
  • sentenceThe two-year sentence is backdated to 1 May 2026, when O’Donoghue entered custody. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherO’Donoghue has 42 previous convictions. (limerickleader.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 30 Jul2026
    Sentencedlimerickleader.ie, first report
    Limerick man jailed following 'traumatic and life-changing' assault on former friend

    Reports the Circuit Court sentencing: a two-year effective sentence with part suspended, backdated to 1 May 2026, and €300 bonds. The article also gives the 2019 events, the pool-cue assault and the injuries.

    convicted, Paul O'Donoghue, 40, male, named, irish (judged from name)Paul O'Donoghuevictim