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. 10247Assault · Co. Kilkenny · 2 Jul 2025

Man charged with assault and threatening a garda in Kilkenny City

On July 2, 2025, just after 9pm on The Parade in Kilkenny City, a man was arrested for his own safety after he was found intoxicated and made his way to a garda patrol van. At Kilkenny Garda Station he allegedly became aggressive, shouted that he would box the head off gardaí, and spat on a garda, and pepper spray was used to bring him under control. Matthew Dowling, of Loughboy, was charged at Kilkenny District Court on March 31, 2026 with being intoxicated in public, assault and threatening to assault a police officer. Judge Geraldine Carthy said he is looking at custody and adjourned the matter to June for a pre-sentencing Probation Report, so no sentence has been imposed.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court31 Mar
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Matthew Dowling, of Loughboy, was charged with being intoxicated in public, assault and threatening to assault a police officer.
  • At Kilkenny Garda Station Dowling allegedly became very aggressive and shouted that he would box the head off gardaí.
  • Dowling allegedly spat on a garda.
When
The incident happened on July 2, 2025, just after 9pm.
Where
The incident took place on The Parade in Kilkenny City, where Dowling made his way to a garda patrol van.
Cause
Dowling was intoxicated and was arrested for his own safety.
Weapon
Pepper spray was used to bring Dowling under control.
Charges
Dowling was charged with being intoxicated in public, assault and threatening to assault a police officer.
In court
  • The charges were heard at Kilkenny District Court, where the case was first reported on March 31, 2026.
  • Judge Geraldine Carthy said Dowling is looking at custody and asked for a pre-sentencing Probation Report.
  • The matter was adjourned to June.
Sentence
No sentence has been imposed; the outcome depends on the Probation Report.
8 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatMatthew Dowling was charged with being intoxicated in public, assault and threatening to assault a police officer. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whatAt Kilkenny Garda Station Dowling became very aggressive and shouted that he would box the head off gardaí. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whatDowling spat on a garda and had to be pepper sprayed to bring him under control. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whereDowling made his way to a garda patrol van at The Parade just after 9pm. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whenThe incident happened on July 2, 2025, on The Parade. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • causeDowling was intoxicated and was arrested for his own safety. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • courtJudge Geraldine Carthy said Dowling is looking at custody and asked for a pre-sentencing Probation Report. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • courtThe matter was adjourned to June. (kilkennypeople.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 31 Mar2026
    In courtkilkennypeople.ie, first report
    ‘I’ll box the head off you’ - man assaulted Kilkenny garda

    First report on this case. Gives the charges, the location and the arrest details, and reports that the judge said Dowling is 'looking at custody' and adjourned the matter to June for a probation report.

    accused, Matthew Dowling, named, irish (judged from name)Matthew Dowling