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. 3783Endangerment (permitting dog to attack), production of a slash hook · Co. Longford · 3 Dec 2018

Man and wife plead guilty over German shepherd attack on garda sergeant in Granard, Co Longford

Edward 'Blondie' Stokes, 35, and Sharon Stokes, 38, of Ferriskill, Granard, Co Longford, pleaded guilty at Longford Circuit Court on 18 February 2026 to charges relating to an incident on 3 December 2018 in which Stokes permitted his German shepherd to attack Insp Tom Quinn, a sergeant at Granard Garda station, and Sharon produced a slash hook. Sentencing was adjourned to the following week.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Convicted18 Feb
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
12 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatEdward Stokes pleaded guilty to endangerment for permitting his German shepherd to attack a garda sergeant. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatSharon Stokes pleaded guilty to the production of a slash hook during the same incident. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe incident took place at Ferriskill, Granard, Co Longford. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe incident occurred on 3 December 2018. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe sergeant was cleared of any wrongdoing after an investigation by the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe pleas were entered at Longford Circuit Court on 18 February 2026. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtA victim impact statement from the Garda member was directed to be furnished to the defence. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherCharges of production of a slash hook and criminal damage to the ignition key of a Ford Transit are to be taken into consideration for Edward Stokes. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherA nolle prosequi will be entered for a charge of endangerment against Sharon Stokes. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherAn official Garda firearm was discharged during the incident. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherEdward Stokes is serving a prison term for another matter. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherSharon Stokes is a mother of seven. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 18 Feb2026
    Convictedirishtimes.com, first report
    Man pleads guilty to allowing his German shepherd to attack garda sergeant in Co Longford

    Guilty pleas entered just before jury trial was to begin; sentencing adjourned for prison governor's report (Stokes) and probation report (Sharon Stokes); victim impact statement directed.

    convicted, 35, male, irish (judged from name)convicted, Sharon Stokes, 38, female, named, irish (judged from name)Sharon Stokesvictim, Tom Quinn, male, irish (judged from name)Tom Quinn