Friday 6 November 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. 29509Assault (causing harm) · Co. Louth · 15 Jul 2020

Man adjourned for probation report over assault causing harm in Dundalk

On 15 July 2020, Paul Spollen, a 62-year-old man, pushed a woman against a barrier at Clarke Train Station, Dundalk, and broke her earphones after thinking she had a taser. Cian Ward, a 20-year-old man, arrived after his girlfriend texted him she needed help and repeatedly punched and kicked Spollen, who sustained a cut to his ear and facial swelling. Ward was charged with assaulting Spollen causing harm, while Spollen was charged with assaulting the woman and causing criminal damage. At Dundalk district court, Judge Eirinn McKiernan dismissed Ward's claim that his partner was seven weeks pregnant and said there was no justification for his actions. Both cases were adjourned to 5 January for a probation report and €500 compensation, and Spollen's case was dismissed under the Probation Act after he paid €500 to the woman.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court3 Jun
    2 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Ward repeatedly punched and kicked Spollen at Clarke Train Station, Dundalk.
  • A witness told gardaí a man hit Spollen 16 times and stamped on him.
  • Spollen had a slight cut to his ear and swelling on his face when gardaí arrived.
  • Ward told the court his partner was seven weeks pregnant at the time.
Where
The incident occurred at Clarke Train Station, Dundalk, County Louth.
When
The incident occurred on 15 July 2020.
Cause
Spollen thought the woman had a taser and broke her earphones trying to take it off her.
Charges
  • Ward was charged with assaulting Spollen causing harm on 15 July 2020.
  • Spollen was charged with assaulting the woman and causing criminal damage.
In court
  • Judge Eirinn McKiernan dismissed Ward's pregnancy claim and said there was no justification for his actions.
  • Both cases were adjourned to 5 January for a probation report on Ward and €500 compensation to Spollen.
  • Spollen's case was dismissed under the Probation Act after he paid €500 compensation to the woman.
Other details
Ward's solicitor said Ward brought the money to court but lost his wallet containing the cash and bank card.
32 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatWard repeatedly punched and kicked Spollen (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatWard told the court his partner was seven weeks pregnant at the time (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatSpollen was 62 and described as a vulnerable man (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatSpollen had a slight cut to his ear and swelling on his face when gardaí arrived (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatA witness told gardaí a man hit Spollen 16 times and stamped on him (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatCCTV showed Spollen pushed the woman against a barrier (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatWard appeared and jumped the turnstile after Spollen pushed the woman (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatWard said his girlfriend texted him saying she needed help (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatWard claimed he heard her scream as he ran back across the car park (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatThe woman told Ward she had been attacked (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatCian Ward, 20, was charged with assaulting Paul Spollen causing him harm on 15 July 2020 (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatSpollen had a slight cut to his ear and swelling on his face when gardai arrived (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatA witness told gardai a man hit Spollen 16 times and stamped on him (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatWard said his girlfriend texted him saying she needed help and he heard her scream as he ran back across the car park (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatThe judge said Ward kept kicking Spollen like a piece of dirt on the ground (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whereWard was formerly at Gosling Terrace, Dundalk, now living in Dublin (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whereSpollen had an address at Back Lane Hostel, Dublin 8 (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whereWard formerly had an address at Gosling Terrace, Dundalk, but is now living in Dublin (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • wherePaul Spollen had an address at Back Lane Hostel, Dublin 8 (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • causeSpollen thought the woman had a taser and broke her earphones trying to take it off her (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • causeSpollen thought the woman had a taser, felt threatened, and broke her earphones (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • chargeWard was charged with assaulting Paul Spollen causing harm on 15 July 2020 (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • chargeSpollen was charged with assaulting the woman and causing criminal damage (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtJudge Eirinn McKiernan dismissed Ward's pregnancy claim (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtJudge said there was no justification for what Ward did (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtBoth cases were adjourned to 15 September 2021 (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtAdjournment was for preparation of a Probation report on Ward (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtAdjournment allowed time for Spollen to raise €500 compensation (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtJudge Eirinn McKiernan said there was no justification for Ward's actions (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtWard's case was adjourned to 5 January for an updated Probation report and payment of €500 to Spollen (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtSpollen's case was dismissed under the Probation Act after he paid €500 compensation to the woman (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • otherWard's solicitor said Ward brought the money to court but lost his wallet containing the cash and bank card (dundalkdemocrat.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 23 Oct2021
    In courtdundalkdemocrat.ie, follow-up
    Dundalk court: Repeatedly punched and kicked a man

    Court hearing details including Judge McKiernan's comments rejecting Ward's justification, adjournment to 5 January for a Probation report and €500 payment, and dismissal of Spollen's case under the Probation Act.

    accused, Cian Ward, 20, male, named, irish (judged from name)Cian Wardvictim, Paul Spollen, 62, male, irish (judged from name)Paul Spollenvictim, female
  2. 3 Jun2021
    In courtdundalkdemocrat.ie, first report
    Man repeatedly kicked man like 'piece of dirt on the ground', Dundalk court heard

    Reports the court hearing at which Judge McKiernan dismissed Ward's pregnancy claim, described CCTV evidence of Spollen pushing the woman and Ward jumping the turnstile, noted a witness account of 16 hits and stamping, and adjourned both cases to 15 September 2021 for a probation report and €500 compensation.

    victim, Paul Spollen, 62, male, irish (judged from name)Paul Spollenvictim, femaleaccused, Cian Ward, 20, male, named, irish (judged from name)Cian Wardaccused, Paul Spollen, 62, male, named, irish (judged from name)Paul Spollen