Saturday 31 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. 19779Trespass; possession of a knife; threats to kill; taking a vehicle without consent · Co. Longford

Longford man sent forward for trial on threats to kill, knife possession and taking a vehicle

David Stafford, a 47-year-old man from Longford, is charged with five offences arising from incidents in June 2023, including two counts of threatening to kill a named individual, possessing a knife and taking a vehicle without the owner's consent at Townspark Industrial Estate, Longford. He also faces a charge of trespassing in a private dwelling in Longford on June 24, 2023. He was first brought before Longford District Court in September 2023, where he was in custody, was granted legal aid and was remanded in custody for a further week. He was later sent forward for trial in the Circuit Court, with the judge issuing an alibi warning and the trial set for October 3, 2023, which is the latest development reported.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court13 Sep
    2 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
David Stafford, a 47-year-old man from Longford, is charged with five offences relating to incidents in June 2023.
Where
The vehicle taking and knife possession charges relate to Townspark Industrial Estate, Longford.
When
  • Four of the counts relate to an incident at Townspark Industrial Estate on June 22, 2023.
  • The first charge relates to June 24, 2023, when he is accused of entering a private dwelling in Longford as a trespasser.
Charges
  • He is charged with possession of a knife, two counts of threatening to kill a named individual, and taking a vehicle without the owner's consent.
  • Earlier reports listed charges of assault on December 18, 2022, criminal damage on April 23, 2023, and trespass with possession of crowbars, screwdrivers, ammonia and gloves the following day, but a later report says the June case is separate from those matters.
  • Property damage to a window at 2 Palace Crescent, Longford, on April 23, 2023, and failing to keep a court appointment are to be dealt with summarily on September 22.
Investigation
  • Detective Garda Brendan Glynn charged him shortly before the district court sitting.
  • The State said it expected to have a book of evidence ready to serve within a week, while a garda gave evidence of serving it on the morning of the sitting.
In court
  • At the first sitting he was in custody, was granted legal aid and was remanded in custody for a further week, and the defence asked for full disclosure before the next sitting.
  • The solicitor said no bail application would be made.
  • The judge issued an alibi warning and sent him forward for trial in the Circuit Court on October 3.
Other details
His address is given as 70 Ardnacassa Avenue, Ballinalee Road, Longford.
22 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe alleged vehicle taking and knife possession happened at Townspark Industrial Estate, Longford. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whereThe other four counts relate to an incident at Townspark Industrial Estate, Longford, on June 22, 2023. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whenThe charges date from between December 2022 and June 2023. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whenThe first charge relates to June 24, 2023. (longfordleader.ie)
  • investigationDetective Garda Brendan Glynn charged Stafford in connection with the Townspark incidents shortly before the district court sitting. (longfordleader.ie)
  • investigationA garda gave evidence of serving the book of evidence on the defendant on the morning of the court sitting. (longfordleader.ie)
  • chargeStafford is accused of taking a vehicle while in possession of a knife. (longfordleader.ie)
  • chargeStafford is accused of assault at an address in Longford town on 18 December 2022. (longfordleader.ie)
  • chargeStafford is accused of criminal damage on 23 April 2023. (longfordleader.ie)
  • chargeStafford is accused of trespass and possessing two crowbars, two screwdrivers, a bottle of ammonia and gloves the day after 23 April 2023. (longfordleader.ie)
  • chargeA defendant faces five charges relating to incidents in June 2023. (longfordleader.ie)
  • chargeThe accused is charged with possession of a knife, two counts of threatening to kill a named individual, and taking a vehicle without the owner's consent. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtStafford was in custody on the charges before the court. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtThe State expected to have a book of evidence ready to serve on Stafford in a week's time. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtThe defence asked for full disclosure of statements and State evidence before the next sitting. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtStafford was granted legal aid and remanded in custody for a further week. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtA Longford man is to stand trial next month. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtThe judge issued an alibi warning and sent the accused forward for trial in the Circuit Court on October 3. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtLegal aid was assigned. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherStafford's address is given as 70 Ardnacassa Avenue, Ballinalee Road, Longford. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherThe solicitor said the client was not making a bail application. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherCharges of property damage to a window at 2 Palace Crescent, Longford, on April 23, 2023, and of failing to keep a court appointment are to be dealt with summarily on September 22. (longfordleader.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 20 Sep2023
    In courtlongfordleader.ie, first report
    Longford man to stand trial on threats to kill, knife possession and unlawful taking of vehicle

    Covers a new June 2023 case against David Stafford, not the April 2023 Palace Crescent case (id 18548) or the 2022 case (id 17542). The article also mentions a summary matter about property damage to a window at 2 Palace Crescent on April 23, 2023, to be dealt with on September 22.

    accused, David Stafford, 47, male, named, irish (judged from name)David Stafford
  2. 13 Sep2023
    In courtlongfordleader.ie, follow-up
    Longford man sent forward for trial

    Adds that Stafford is to stand trial next month, the dates and charges from December 2022 to June 2023, the Townspark incident details, and the court's custody and legal aid details.

    accused, David Stafford, male, named, irish (judged from name)David Stafford