Ireland Case No. 11915Stabbing · Co. Longford · 10 Oct 2024
Longford man sentenced to 8 years and 6 months for stabbing former best friend
John Keenan, 32, was sentenced at Longford Circuit Court to 8 years and 6 months, with 18 months suspended for 3 years, for stabbing Patrick Stokes. The judge described the attack as vicious, and Mr Keenan apologised in court.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced29 Nov
2 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports20 statements extracted from the articles
- whatJohn Keenan was one of four people involved in the Deanscurragh ambush. (longfordleader.ie)
- whatJohn Keenan was sentenced to 8 years and 6 months for the stabbing of Patrick Stokes. (longfordleader.ie)
- whereThe attack happened just yards from a national school. (longfordleader.ie)
- whereThe stabbing happened in the abdomen just yards from a school. (longfordleader.ie)
- whenThe attack happened on October 10, 2024. (longfordleader.ie)
- whenThe stabbing happened on 10 October 2024. (longfordleader.ie)
- causeThe attack happened amid rising feud tensions. (longfordleader.ie)
- causeComments made in WhatsApp groups led to tensions between the two families. (longfordleader.ie)
- weaponJohn Keenan stabbed Patrick Stokes in the stomach with a knife. (longfordleader.ie)
- investigationA visible Garda presence was outside the school at the time. (longfordleader.ie)
- courtThe sentence was delivered at Longford Circuit Court. (longfordleader.ie)
- courtJudge Kenneth Connolly delivered the verdict. (longfordleader.ie)
- courtThe sentence was imposed at Longford Circuit Court. (longfordleader.ie)
- sentenceJohn Keenan received a sentence of 8 years and 6 months. (longfordleader.ie)
- sentenceJudge Connolly imposed 8 years and 6 months, with 18 months suspended for 3 years. (longfordleader.ie)
- otherA victim impact statement written by Patrick Stokes's wife, Carmel, was read to the court by Detective Garda Gerald Mularkey. (longfordleader.ie)
- otherThree co-accused cheered as the attack happened. (longfordleader.ie)
- otherThe judge said the stabbing demonstrated the viciousness of the situation. (longfordleader.ie)
- otherMr Keenan apologised for what he did. (longfordleader.ie)
- otherMr Keenan's family and he were willing to enter mediation and conflict coaching training. (longfordleader.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 30 Nov2025Judge notes "viciousness” of stabbing, as he sentences Longford man
Court report on the sentencing of John Keenan at Longford Circuit Court. Gives the incident date, location, victim details, the judge's remarks, the sentence terms and the three co-accused.
convicted, John Keenan, 32, male, named, irish (judged from name)John Keenanvictim, Patrick Stokes, male, irish (judged from name)Patrick Stokesaccusedaccusedaccused - 29 Nov2025Longford sentencing: read Carmel Stokes' full account of husband's savage stabbing
Reports the sentencing and publishes the full victim impact statement from Carmel Stokes, which describes the attack, Mr Stokes's injuries and surgeries, and the attackers' conduct afterwards. Adds the court sentence and the description of the attack as an ambush by several people.
victim, Patrick Stokes, male, irish (judged from name)Patrick Stokesconvicted, John Keenan, male, named, irish (judged from name)John Keenan