Wednesday 28 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. 3944Assault causing harm · Co. Westmeath · 29 Nov 2024

Lithuanian man jailed for five years for setting wife on fire in Mullingar

Vaidotas Gedvilas, 53, a Lithuanian national from Mullingar, Co Westmeath, was sentenced to five years in prison at Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court for assault causing harm after he smothered his sleeping wife with a cushion, doused her back with barbecue fuel, set her on fire, and choked her in November 2024.

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

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
20 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatGedvilas was jailed for five years for attempting to smother his sleeping wife with a cushion before setting her on fire with barbecue fuel and choking her. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe victim had severe burns to her back and bruising to her neck, arms, chest and legs. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe woman grabbed a glass bottle and hit Gedvilas over the head. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatGedvilas filmed the attack with his phone and the footage was shown in court. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe woman managed to roll and put out the fire, then attempted to run away. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatGedvilas grabbed her neck and choked her for five or six seconds, then knocked her down, kicked her hands and legs, and pulled her hair. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatShe managed to get out the front door but was pulled back inside. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereGedvilas has an address at Ashefield, Mullingar, Co Westmeath. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe attack happened between November 29th and 30th, 2024. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeThe attack occurred after the couple held a house party. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGedvilas was arrested but was unfit to be questioned for another six hours due to his intoxication. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeGedvilas pleaded guilty to assault causing harm and two connected counts under Section 3A of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe case was heard at Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court before Judge Keenan Johnson. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceJudge Johnson set a headline sentence of nine years, reduced to six-and-a-half years with the final 18 months suspended. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherGedvilas has lived in Ireland for more than 10 years. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherGedvilas initially denied burning his wife and said she tried to burn the house down. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherAfter being shown the video he recorded, Gedvilas admitted it was his voice but said he did not recall it happening. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherHe later admitted to burning his wife but maintained he just wanted to scare her. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherIn a victim impact statement, the woman pleaded for leniency, saying he had shown remorse and sought professional help for his alcohol use. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherGedvilas is a traffic management supervisor. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 30 Jan2026
    Sentencedirishtimes.com, first report
    Woman pleads for leniency as husband jailed for setting her on fire

    Reports the sentencing of Vaidotas Gedvilas, who pleaded guilty to assault causing harm and two connected counts under Section 3A of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997. Judge Keenan Johnson set a headline sentence of nine years, reduced to six-and-a-half years with 18 months suspended, following a guilty plea and mitigating factors including the victim's plea for leniency.

    convicted, Vaidotas Gedvilas, 53, male, Lithuanian, named, non-irishVaidotas Gedvilasvictim, female