Ireland Case No. 21766Assault · Co. Longford · 23 Jul 2021
Longford woman convicted of assault at 2021 house party
On 23 July 2021, Tori McGreevy was allegedly hit three times on the left side of her head by Margaret Marie Ward, a 23-year-old woman, during an argument at a house party at 28 Oakvale, Longford. The victim sustained three bumps and a swollen lip and ear, and was treated at MiDoc and later at Mullingar General Hospital. Ward, who was a guest at the party, denied hitting McGreevy but admitted throwing a bottle in the direction of the victim's boyfriend, Michael McDonagh. Ward was convicted of assault by Judge Bernadette Owens at Longford District Court in March 2023, with sentencing adjourned to 14 April for a victim impact statement and mitigation.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Convicted16 Mar
2 reports - Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- An argument broke out between the victim's boyfriend Michael McDonagh and the defendant at a house party, after which the defendant allegedly hit the victim on the left side of her head three times.
- The victim sustained three bumps and a swollen lip and ear, and was treated at MiDoc and later at Mullingar General Hospital.
- Where
- The incident took place at a house with a pool in the back garden at 28 Oakvale, Longford.
- When
- The alleged assault occurred on 23 July 2021, and the victim made the allegation at Longford Garda Station on 24 July 2021.
- Investigation
- Garda Tara Halanin of Ballymahon Garda Station investigated; the defendant made a voluntary caution statement on 9 August 2021 in which she denied hitting the victim but admitted throwing a bottle in the direction of Michael McDonagh.
- Garda Halanin spoke to guests at the party but all declined to make a statement.
- In court
- Margaret Marie Ward (23) of 23 Palace Crescent, Longford appeared before Judge Bernadette Owens at Longford District Court, where Inspector David Jordan described the case as one person's word against another but noted the injuries sustained.
- Judge Owens determined the State met the threshold to convict and convicted the defendant, with the matter adjourned to 14 April for a victim impact statement and mitigation.
- Other details
- The defendant was a guest at the party; the victim and defendant had been friends on Snapchat, and the victim had invited the defendant before unfriending her.
- The victim's boyfriend Michael McDonagh said he did not witness the assault.
30 statements extracted from the articles
- whatAn argument broke out between the victim's boyfriend Michael McDonagh and the defendant at the party. (longfordleader.ie)
- whatThe defendant allegedly hit the victim on the left side of her head three times. (longfordleader.ie)
- whatThe victim developed three bumps and a swollen lip and ear as a result. (longfordleader.ie)
- whatThe victim attended MiDoc and was later treated in Mullingar General Hospital. (longfordleader.ie)
- whatThe defendant was a guest at the party. (longfordleader.ie)
- whatThere was a clear indication of bruising and swelling to the victim's ear, lip and head. (longfordleader.ie)
- whatMichael McDonagh, the victim's boyfriend, said he did not witness the assault. (longfordleader.ie)
- whatThe defendant admitted throwing a bottle in the direction of Michael McDonagh but denied hitting the victim. (longfordleader.ie)
- whatThe defendant and the victim were friends on Snapchat, and the victim had invited her to the party before unfriending her. (longfordleader.ie)
- whatThe victim was hit on the left side of her head three times. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatThe victim developed three bumps and a swollen lip and ear. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatThe defendant admitted throwing a bottle but denied hitting the victim. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whereThe party took place in summer at a house with a pool in the back garden at 28 Oakvale. (longfordleader.ie)
- whenThe alleged assault took place on 23 July 2021 at 28 Oakvale, Longford. (longfordleader.ie)
- whenThe assault occurred on 23 July 2021 at 28 Oakvale, Longford. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whenThe victim made the allegation on 24 July 2021. (offalyexpress.ie)
- investigationGarda Tara Halanin of Ballymahon Garda Station investigated the matter. (longfordleader.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
- investigationThe victim attended Longford Garda Station on 24 July to make the allegation. (longfordleader.ie)
- investigationThe defendant made a voluntary caution statement on 9 August in which she denied hitting the victim but admitted throwing a bottle. (longfordleader.ie)
- investigationGarda Halanin spoke to guests at the party but all declined to make a statement. (longfordleader.ie)
- investigationThe defendant made a voluntary caution statement on 9 August 2021. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtMargaret Marie Ward (23) of 23 Palace Crescent, Longford appeared before Judge Bernadette Owens at Longford District Court. (longfordleader.ie)
- courtInspector David Jordan described the case as one person's word against another but noted the injuries sustained by the victim. (longfordleader.ie)
- courtJudge Owens determined that the State met the threshold to convict the defendant. (longfordleader.ie)
- courtThe matter was adjourned to 14 April for a victim impact statement and mitigation. (longfordleader.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
- courtJudge Bernadette Owens convicted the defendant at Longford District Court. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherThe victim was treated at MiDoc and later at Mullingar General Hospital. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherThe defendant was 23 years old and lived at 23 Palace Crescent, Longford. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherThe victim's boyfriend did not witness the assault. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherThe defendant and victim were friends on Snapchat. (offalyexpress.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 25 Mar2023Young woman found guilty of assault at party in the Midlands
Reports the full trial at Longford District Court, including witness evidence, defence submission, and the conviction with sentencing adjourned to 14 April.
victim, Tori McGreevy, female, irish (judged from name)Tori McGreevyconvicted, Margaret Marie Ward, 23, female, named, irish (judged from name)Margaret Marie Ward - 16 Mar2023Longford woman found guilty of party assault
Full court details including witness testimony from the victim and Garda, defence submission, the defendant's own account, and Judge Owens' reasoning for finding the State met the threshold to convict.
victim, Tori McGreevy, female, irish (judged from name)Tori McGreevyconvicted, Margaret Marie Ward, 23, female, named, irish (judged from name)Margaret Marie Ward