Wednesday 28 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. 3833Dangerous driving, drug driving, drink driving, resisting arrest, assault on garda · Co. Longford · 4 Oct 2020

Longford pharmacist Sean Stakelum pleads guilty over high-speed car chase and assault on garda

Sean Stakelum, 42, a Longford pharmacist, pleaded guilty at Longford Circuit Court to dangerous driving, drug driving, drink driving, resisting arrest and assaulting a garda after a high-speed car chase through Longford town on 4 October 2020, during which he was almost four times over the alcohol limit with cocaine also in his system. Judge Jonathan Dunphy indicated a custodial sentence and Stakelum is due to reappear for sentencing the following week.

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

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
13 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatSean Stakelum engaged in a high-speed car chase through Longford town while under the influence of alcohol and cocaine. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatHe crashed into a low-rise wall at Deanscurragh. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatHe assaulted Garda Barry Gillespie, causing a dislocated shoulder, fractured finger and soft tissue damage. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatStakelum was found to be almost four times over the legal limit for alcohol. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatCocaine was also found in his system. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatHe pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, drug driving, drink driving, resisting arrest and assaulting a garda. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe vehicle was a maroon Nissan Qashqai. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe chase involved speeds of approximately 80km/h and 100km/h, going on the wrong side of the road, speeding through a red light and mounting the footpath. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatStakelum had been playing in a county final match earlier that day and was sent off within five minutes. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatHe struck Garda Gillespie once on the right arm and once on the left arm and chest. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe incident occurred on 4 October 2020. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtStakelum is due to reappear before the court the following week for sentence. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherStakelum owns a pharmacy business in Longford and has no previous convictions. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 13 Feb2026
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Pharmacist with drugs and alcohol in system led high-speed Longford car chase

    Guilty plea hearing at Longford Circuit Court; judge indicated custodial sentence; sentencing adjourned to the following week.

    accused, Sean Stakelum, 42, male, named, irish (judged from name)Sean Stakelumvictim, Barry Gillespie, male, irish (judged from name)Barry Gillespie