Ireland Case No. 21889Assault; public order offence (threatening and abusive behaviour) · Co. Longford · 21 Feb 2022
Longford twin sisters sentenced for assault after abandoning child
Nicole Keenan and Tia Keenan, both 22, of 82 Ardnacassa Avenue, Longford, were sentenced in March 2023 for assaulting Rosaleen Ward inside a parked car on Main Street, Longford, on 21 February 2022. The twin sisters had abandoned a young child in a buggy before the attack, which Garda Noelle Fahy witnessed in broad daylight. Both were charged with section 3 assault and section 6 public order, with the public order charges taken into consideration. Judge Vincent Deane at a special sitting of Longford District Court sentenced Nicole to seven months in prison with the final two months suspended and Tia to six months suspended, and Nicole immediately lodged an appeal.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced2 Mar
3 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Two twin sisters abandoned a young child in a buggy before attacking a woman inside a parked car in broad daylight in full view of bystanders.
- The victim, Rosaleen Ward, stated she has multiple scars on her arms and hip, her hair has been falling out over stress, and she fears being alone in public places, particularly as she is pregnant.
- Where
- The assault took place at a vehicle parked on Main Street, Longford.
- When
- The incident occurred on 21 February 2022.
- Investigation
- Garda Noelle Fahy and a male colleague found two women on top of a third woman inside the car; CCTV showed Garda Fahy forcibly dragging Nicole Keenan from the car before arresting her, and Tia Keenan was in the rear and arrested later that day.
- Charges
- Both were charged with section 3 assault and section 6 public order (threatening and abusive behaviour) on 21 February 2022.
- In court
- The case was heard before Judge Vincent Deane at a special sitting of Longford District Court in March 2023.
- Sentence
- Nicole Keenan was sentenced to seven months in prison with the final two months suspended for two years, and Tia Keenan was sentenced to six months in prison suspended for two years.
- Other details
- Nicole Keenan had one previous conviction for possession of a flick knife; Tia Keenan had no previous convictions and entered an early guilty plea.
- The judge noted it was an aggravating factor that Nicole left her child without care on the main street.
- A no-contact condition was imposed on both women regarding the victim, and Nicole Keenan immediately lodged an appeal after recognisances were fixed.
- Defence counsel Frank Gearty said the pair perceived the other parties initiated matters by pulling faces and taking pictures, and was open to mediation.
57 statements extracted from the articles
- whatBoth sisters were aged 22. (irishtimes.com)
- whatTwo women were on top of a third woman inside the car when Gardaí arrived. (irishtimes.com)
- whatRosaleen Ward expressed fear and anxiety of being alone in public places since the attack. (irishtimes.com)
- whatWard stated she is pregnant and afraid the two girls will beat her again. (irishtimes.com)
- whatWard has multiple scars on her arms and hip and her hair has been falling out over stress. (irishtimes.com)
- whatNicole Keenan had one previous conviction for the possession of a flick knife. (irishtimes.com)
- whatTia Keenan had a previously unblemished record. (irishtimes.com)
- whatTia Keenan entered an early guilty plea. (irishtimes.com)
- whatNicole and Tia Keenan, both 22, are of 82 Ardnacassa Avenue, Longford (longfordleader.ie)
- whatGarda Noelle Fahy and a male colleague came across the incident after noticing a man and a woman at the passenger door of a car (longfordleader.ie)
- whatTwo women were on top of a third woman inside the car (longfordleader.ie)
- whatCCTV showed Garda Fahy forcibly dragging Nicole Keenan from the car before arresting her (longfordleader.ie)
- whatTia Keenan was in the rear of the vehicle and was arrested later that day (longfordleader.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
- whatThe attack took place in broad daylight in full view of shocked bystanders (longfordleader.ie)
- whatMs Ward said she no longer felt at ease when out in public (longfordleader.ie)
- whatMs Ward said she feels extra vulnerable now that she is pregnant (longfordleader.ie)
- whatMs Ward said she has been left with multiple scars on her arms and hip (longfordleader.ie)
- whatMs Ward said her hair has been falling out over the stress (longfordleader.ie)
- whatDefence counsel Frank Gearty said the pair perceived the other parties initiated matters by pulling faces and taking pictures (longfordleader.ie)
- whatMr Gearty said his clients were open to the possibility of starting mediation (longfordleader.ie)
- whatThe twin sisters abandoned a young child in a buggy to attack the victim (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatThe sisters were also charged with threatening and abusive behaviour on the same date (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatGarda Fahy saw two women on top of a third woman inside the car (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatThe victim said she no longer felt at ease when out in public (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatThe victim said she feels extra vulnerable now that she is pregnant (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatThe victim said she has multiple scars on her arms and hip (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatThe attack took place in broad daylight in full view of bystanders (offalyexpress.ie)
- whereBoth sisters lived at 82 Ardnacassa Avenue, Longford. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe assault took place at a vehicle parked on Main Street, Longford. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe incident occurred on 21 February 2022. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGarda Noelle Fahy removed Nicole Keenan from the front of the vehicle and arrested and charged her. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationTia Keenan was in the back of the vehicle and was arrested later that day. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGarda Noelle Fahy and a male colleague came across the incident after noticing a man and woman at a car door (offalyexpress.ie)
- investigationCCTV footage showed Garda Fahy forcibly dragging Nicole Keenan from the car before arresting her (offalyexpress.ie)
- chargeBoth were charged with section 3 assault and section 6 public order. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeThey were charged with assaulting Rosaleen Ward on 21 February 2022 at Main Street, Longford (longfordleader.ie)
- chargeThey were also charged with engaging in threatening and abusive behaviour on the same date (longfordleader.ie)
- chargeBoth section 6 public order charges for both women were taken into consideration (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtThe case was heard before Judge Vincent Deane at a special sitting of Longford District Court. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThey appeared at a special sitting of Longford District Court (longfordleader.ie)
- courtJudge Deane said it was an aggravating factor that Nicole left her child without any care on the main street (longfordleader.ie)
- courtNicole Keenan immediately lodged an appeal after recognisances were fixed at €600 own bond and a €200 cash bond (longfordleader.ie)
- courtThe judge noted it was an aggravating factor that Nicole left her child without care on the main street (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtNicole Keenan immediately lodged an appeal after recognisances were fixed (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtThe judge imposed a no-contact condition on the pair regarding the victim (offalyexpress.ie)
- sentenceNicole Keenan was sentenced to seven months in prison with the final two months suspended. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceTia Keenan was given a six month suspended sentence. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceA condition was set that neither woman should contact the injured parties directly or indirectly. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe section 6 public order charges were taken into consideration. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceRecognisance was fixed at a €600 own bond and €200 cash bond for Nicole Keenan, and a €300 own bond for Tia Keenan. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceTia Keenan, who had no previous convictions, was sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for two years (longfordleader.ie)
- sentenceNicole Keenan was sentenced to seven months in prison, with the final two months suspended for two years (longfordleader.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
- sentenceJudge Deane imposed a condition on the pair to have no contact, direct or indirect, with Ms Ward (longfordleader.ie)
- sentenceTia Keenan was sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for two years (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherTia Keenan had no previous convictions (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherDefence counsel Frank Gearty said the clients perceived the other parties initiated matters by pulling faces and taking pictures (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherThe defence was open to the possibility of starting mediation between the families (offalyexpress.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 16 Mar2023Twin sisters in the Midlands sentenced after abandoning child to attack victim
Sentencing report detailing the judge's comments, the victim impact statement, the specific sentences imposed, and Nicole Keenan's immediate appeal.
victim, Rosaleen Ward, female, irish (judged from name)Rosaleen Wardconvicted, Nicole Keenan, 22, female, named, irish (judged from name)Nicole Keenanconvicted, Tia Keenan, 22, female, named, irish (judged from name)Tia Keenan - 15 Mar2023Longford twin sisters sentenced after abandoning child to attack victim
Full sentencing details including victim impact statement, defence arguments, judge's comments, specific sentences, Nicole's immediate appeal, and a no-contact condition imposed on both sisters.
victim, Rosaleen Ward, female, irish (judged from name)Rosaleen Wardconvicted, Nicole Keenan, 22, female, named, irish (judged from name)Nicole Keenanconvicted, Tia Keenan, 22, female, named, irish (judged from name)Tia Keenan - 2 Mar2023Woman who left child in buggy to carry out ‘vicious assault’ jailed for seven months
Provides full sentencing details including the victim impact statement, the judge's reasoning and aggravating/mitigating factors, the condition of no contact, and recognisance amounts.
convicted, Nicole Keenan, 22, female, named, irish (judged from name)Nicole Keenanconvicted, Tia Keenan, 22, female, named, irish (judged from name)Tia Keenanvictim, Rosaleen Ward, female, irish (judged from name)Rosaleen Ward