Friday 30 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. 15765Possession of incapacitant spray · Co. Longford

Longford man fined for pepper spray found in car

Michael Stokes of Corboy, Edgeworthstown, was found with incapacitant spray after gardaí stopped a vehicle at Townparks, Longford, shortly after 9pm. The articles do not give the date of the stop. Stokes pleaded guilty to possession of the spray at Longford District Court on July 22, 2024. Judge Bernadette Owens convicted him and fined him €200 with five months to pay, as reported by the Longford Leader on October 18, 2024, which is the latest development.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced16 Oct
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
The offence is possession of incapacitant spray, also described as pepper spray.
Where
  • Michael Stokes of Corboy, Edgeworthstown, is the man named in the case.
  • Gardaí stopped a vehicle at Townparks, Longford.
When
Gardaí stopped the vehicle shortly after 9pm, and the articles do not give the date of the stop.
Other details
  • Stokes was a rear seat passenger in the vehicle, while one article says the spray was found in his car.
  • Stokes told gardaí he had picked the spray up off a child.
  • His solicitor said he receives a social welfare disability allowance and has dealt with a lot of tragedy in recent years.
Weapon
Gardaí found incapacitant spray in Stokes's possession.
Investigation
Gardaí searched the vehicle and Stokes accepted that the spray was his.
Charges
Stokes pleaded guilty to possession of incapacitant spray at Longford District Court on July 22, 2024.
In court
Stokes had 53 previous convictions, mostly for road traffic offences.
Sentence
Judge Bernadette Owens convicted Stokes and fined him €200 with five months to pay.
12 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereMichael Stokes of Corboy, Edgeworthstown pleaded guilty at Longford District Court. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whereGardaí stopped a vehicle at Townparks, Longford. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whenThe guilty plea was entered on July 22, 2024. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whenThe vehicle was stopped shortly after 9pm. (longfordleader.ie)
  • weaponGardaí found incapacitant spray in Stokes's possession. (longfordleader.ie)
  • investigationGardaí searched the vehicle. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtStokes had 53 previous convictions, mostly for road traffic offences. (longfordleader.ie)
  • sentenceJudge Bernadette Owens convicted Stokes and fined him €200 with five months to pay. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherStokes was a rear seat passenger in the vehicle. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherStokes accepted that the spray was his. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherStokes told gardaí he had picked the spray up off a child. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherHis solicitor said he receives a social welfare disability allowance and has dealt with a lot of tragedy in recent years. (longfordleader.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 16 Oct2024
    Sentencedlongfordleader.ie, first report
    Longford man fined for having pepper spray in car when stopped by Gardaí

    Court report of the conviction and €200 fine. The article does not state the date of the garda stop, only that it was on Townparks, Longford, shortly after 9pm.

    convicted, Michael Stokes, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Stokes