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. 13647Assault causing harm · Co. Longford · 9 Dec 2022

Longford man pleads guilty to assaulting John Robertson causing harm

On December 9, 2022 at 3.55pm, two men approached John Robertson, who had his daughter with him, and asked him for a fight in Longford; the incident began at the home of Bradley O'Leary in Canal Bank, and Robertson received an injury to his lip. The assault was described as retaliation for an earlier assault in June 2022. On October 8, 2024, James O'Leary was convicted at Longford District Court over his role in the incident. In May 2025, Bradley O'Leary, 18, pleaded guilty at Longford District Court to assaulting Robertson causing him harm, and the case was adjourned for review to November 4, with the judge indicating she may leave him without a conviction if he donates €300 to Lus na Gréine.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court23 May
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Bradley O'Leary, 18, pleaded guilty at Longford District Court to assaulting John Robertson causing him harm.
  • Two men approached Robertson, who had his daughter with him, and asked him for a fight.
  • Robertson received an injury to his lip.
Where
The incident began at the defendant's home in Canal Bank, Longford.
When
The incident happened on December 9, 2022 at 3.55pm.
Cause
The assault was described as retaliation for an earlier assault in June 2022.
Investigation
  • Robertson made a statement to Garda Conor Foley about the assault.
  • Bradley O'Leary was interviewed by Gardaí and made admissions.
Charges
He was charged with assault causing harm under Section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act.
In court
  • His solicitor said he cooperated with Gardaí and pleaded at the earliest opportunity.
  • Judge Owens was willing to give him a chance because of his young age and because other adults were involved.
  • The case was adjourned for review to November 4.
Sentence
The judge indicated she may leave him without a conviction if he donates €300 to Lus na Gréine.
Other details
  • James O'Leary was convicted at Longford District Court on October 8, 2024 over his role in the incident.
  • The report is dated 23 May 2025 on the tracker and 25 May 2025 in the article byline.
14 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatBradley O'Leary pleaded guilty to assaulting John Robertson causing him harm. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatThe two men approached Robertson, who had his daughter with him, and asked him for a fight. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatRobertson received an injury to his lip. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whereThe defendant was at his home in Canal Bank, Longford, when the incident began. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whenThe incident happened on December 9, 2022 at 3.55pm. (longfordleader.ie)
  • causeThe assault was described as retaliation for an earlier assault in June 2022. (longfordleader.ie)
  • investigationRobertson made a statement to Garda Conor Foley about the assault. (longfordleader.ie)
  • investigationBradley O'Leary was interviewed by Gardaí and made admissions. (longfordleader.ie)
  • chargeThe charge was assault causing harm under Section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtThe solicitor said the accused cooperated with Gardaí and pleaded at the earliest opportunity. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtJudge Owens was willing to give the accused a chance because of his young age and because other adults were involved. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtThe case was adjourned for review to November 4. (longfordleader.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge indicated she may leave the accused without a conviction if he donates €300 to Lus na Gréine. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherJames O'Leary was convicted at Longford District Court on October 8, 2024 over his role in the incident. (longfordleader.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 23 May2025
    In courtlongfordleader.ie, first report
    Longford court hears teen was involved in 'retaliation' assault'

    Court report on the guilty plea. It gives the 2022 incident details, the conviction of co-accused James O'Leary, and the adjournment to November 4 with a possible charitable donation in lieu of conviction.

    accused, Bradley O'Leary, 18, male, named, irish (judged from name)Bradley O'Learyvictim, John Robertson, male, irish (judged from name)John Robertsonconvicted, James O'Leary, male, named, irish (judged from name)James O'Leary