Sunday 1 November 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. 22535Public order (impeding a Garda; threatening and abusive behaviour; failing to comply with Garda directions) · Co. Longford · 25 May 2021

Longford man sentenced for verbally abusing Garda at Aughadegnan roundabout

Edward 'Blondie' Stokes, 32, of Ferriskill, Granard, was sentenced at Longford District Court for impeding a Garda, engaging in threatening and abusive behaviour, and failing to comply with Garda directions after a dispute over vehicle insurance at the Aughadegnan roundabout on 25 May 2021. He received a two-month custodial sentence and fines totalling €700.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced2 Feb
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
20 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatGarda Charman was on motorcycle patrol in Longford town. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatThere was a significant Garda presence in the area due to a large funeral in Newtownforbes. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatThe insurance disk on the windscreen did not match the vehicle. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatStokes said he had insurance but had taken a disk from another vehicle. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatStokes told Garda Charman to go to hell multiple times during the interaction. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatStokes refused to get out of the vehicle and continued being abusive. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatStokes was arrested and brought to Longford Garda Station. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatStokes claimed he was kicked in the back and punched in the face while being placed in the cells. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatStokes said he was left in the cell for 15 to 20 minutes and found it difficult to breathe. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatStokes claimed swelling to his jaw and a chipped tooth but could not provide medical records. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatStokes is a member of the travelling community and felt he was specifically targeted. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatStokes has 17 previous convictions. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatStokes is a married father of six children. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whereThe officer stopped a black Lexus with three occupants at the Aughadegnan roundabout outside Longford town. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whenThe incident occurred on 25 May 2021. (longfordleader.ie)
  • chargeThe three charges were impeding a Garda, engaging in threatening and abusive behaviour, and failing to comply with Garda directions. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtThe judge found the State had discharged the burden of proof on all three charges. (longfordleader.ie)
  • sentenceStokes was fined €300 for impeding a Garda in the execution of his duty. (longfordleader.ie)
  • sentenceStokes was fined €200 and given a two-month custodial sentence for engaging in threatening and abusive behaviour. (longfordleader.ie)
  • sentenceStokes was fined €200 for failing to comply with Garda directions. (longfordleader.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 2 Feb2023
    Sentencedlongfordleader.ie, first report
    Longford man felt "very belittled" by arrest after verbally abusing garda, court is told

    Reports the sentencing of Stokes for the May 2021 incident in which he verbally abused Garda Rob Charman after being stopped at the Aughadegnan roundabout. Stokes contested all three charges and raised allegations of assault during arrest, which the judge found unproven. He received a two-month custodial sentence and €700 in fines.

    suspect, Edward 'Blondie' Stokes, 32, male, named, irish (judged from name)Edward 'Blondie' Stokesvictim, Rob Charman, male, irish (judged from name)Rob Charman