Thursday 29 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. 9656Assault causing harm · Co. Limerick · 20 Apr 2025

Man acquitted of assault causing harm to childhood friend at Limerick Circuit Court

On 20 April 2025, Mr McCormack, who is in his 50s, called to the house of his childhood friend John Quinlan, 52, in Limerick, after a night of drinking, and was allegedly assaulted. Mr Quinlan was arrested six months later and charged with assault causing harm to Mr McCormack. At Limerick Circuit Criminal Court, a jury found him not guilty after one hour of deliberation, so no sentence was imposed. The acquittal was reported on 9 May 2026.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Acquitted8 May
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
John Quinlan, 52, was accused of assault causing harm to Mike McCormack, his childhood friend.
Where
The alleged assault took place at Mr Quinlan's house in Limerick.
When
Mr McCormack called to Mr Quinlan's house on 20 April 2025.
Cause
The alleged assault followed a night of drinking and chatting.
Investigation
Mr Quinlan was arrested six months after the alleged assault.
Charges
Mr Quinlan was charged with assault causing harm to Mr McCormack.
In court
  • The trial took place at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court before a jury of six women and six men and lasted less than a week.
  • The jury found Mr Quinlan not guilty of assault causing harm after one hour of deliberation.
Other details
  • The defence did not dispute that Mr Quinlan used force against Mr McCormack, who was injured.
  • Mr Quinlan said he slammed the back door on Mr McCormack while pushing it.
  • The prosecution argued the injuries showed Mr Quinlan was not acting in self defence.
Sentence
No sentence was imposed because Mr Quinlan was acquitted.
8 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe incident took place at Mr Quinlan's house. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whenMr McCormack called to Mr Quinlan's house on 20 April 2025. (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationMr Quinlan was arrested six months after the alleged assault. (limerickleader.ie)
  • chargeJohn Quinlan was on trial charged with assault causing harm to Mike McCormack. (limerickleader.ie)
  • courtThe jury found Mr Quinlan not guilty of assault causing harm after one hour of deliberation. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherMr Quinlan said he slammed the back door on Mr McCormack while pushing it. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherThe defence did not dispute that Mr Quinlan used force against Mr McCormack, who was injured. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherThe prosecution argued the injuries showed Mr Quinlan was not acting in self defence. (limerickleader.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 8 May2026
    Acquittedlimerickleader.ie, first report
    Drunken night ends in alleged assault as two Limerick childhood friends find themselves before Limerick Circuit Court

    Court report of a trial that ended in acquittal. The article gives the incident date as 20 April 2025 and says Mr Quinlan was arrested six months after the alleged assault. No existing case matches these names or details.

    victim, Mike McCormack, male, irish (judged from name)Mike McCormackaccused, John Quinlan, 52, male, named, irish (judged from name)John Quinlan