Ireland Case No. 20897Assault · Co. Offaly · 2 Feb 2023
Man fined and given suspended sentence for axe handle assault in Clara
On 2 February 2023 at The Green, Clara, County Offaly, James Fitzgerald, 43, of 62 The Green, struck a neighbour, a man, on the head with an axe handle during a row over a rumour, causing a cut that needed three stitches. Fitzgerald had been drinking at the time, and the neighbour declined to make a statement. The case was heard at Tullamore District Court, where Judge Andrew Cody fined Fitzgerald €300 and imposed a two-month sentence, suspended for two years on his own bond of €100. The sentence was reported on 30 May 2023.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced30 May
2 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- A man was assaulted with an axe handle in a dispute over turf rumours.
- Where
- The assault took place at The Green, Clara, County Offaly.
- When
- The assault happened on 2 February 2023.
- Cause
- The row followed Fitzgerald confronting the neighbour over a rumour he was allegedly spreading about him.
- Words were exchanged during the confrontation before the assault.
- Weapon
- Fitzgerald went home, returned with an axe handle and struck the neighbour on the head.
- Other details
- The neighbour received a cut to the head that required three stitches.
- Fitzgerald had been drinking at the time.
- Fitzgerald, 43, of 62 The Green, Clara, had 14 previous convictions, four for theft and none for assault.
- His solicitor said the offence was completely out of character and that Fitzgerald had previously completed 150 hours of community service for a public order offence.
- Investigation
- The neighbour declined to make a statement and did not want to press charges.
- Charges
- Fitzgerald was before the court over the assault on his neighbour.
- In court
- The case was heard at Tullamore District Court, with evidence given by Sergeant James O'Sullivan.
- Sentence
- Judge Andrew Cody fined Fitzgerald €300 and imposed a two-month sentence, suspended for two years on his own bond of €100.
24 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA man was assaulted with an axe handle in a dispute over turf rumours. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whereThe assault happened at The Green, Clara, in Offaly. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whereJames Fitzgerald, 43, is from 62, The Green, Clara. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whenThe assault happened on 2 February 2023. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whenOn 2 February 2023 Fitzgerald confronted a neighbour at The Green, Clara, over a rumour he was allegedly spreading about him. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- causeThe incident followed a row over turf. (offalyexpress.ie)
- causeWords were exchanged during the confrontation. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- weaponMr Fitzgerald went home, returned with an axe handle and hit the neighbour on the head. (offalyexpress.ie)
- weaponFitzgerald went home, returned with an axe handle and struck the neighbour on the head. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- investigationThe neighbour declined to make a statement. (offalyexpress.ie)
- investigationThe neighbour has declined to make a statement. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtThe case was heard at Tullamore District Court. (offalyexpress.ie, leinsterexpress.ie)
- sentenceJudge Andrew Cody fined Mr Fitzgerald €300 and imposed a two-month sentence, suspended for two years on his own bond of €100. (offalyexpress.ie)
- sentenceJudge Andrew Cody fined Fitzgerald €300 and imposed a two-month sentence, suspended for two years on his own bond of €100. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherMr Fitzgerald confronted a neighbour about a rumour he was allegedly spreading. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherThe neighbour received a cut to his head that required three stitches. (offalyexpress.ie, leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherMr Fitzgerald had been drinking at the time. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherThe solicitor said the offence was completely out of character. (offalyexpress.ie, leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherMr Fitzgerald had 14 previous convictions, four for theft and none for assault. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherThe neighbour did not want to press charges. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherFitzgerald had 14 previous convictions, four for theft and none for assault. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherFitzgerald had previously completed 150 hours of community service for a public order offence. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherFitzgerald had been drinking at the time. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherThe solicitor said the row was over turf and that the neighbour did not want to press charges. (leinsterexpress.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 30 May2023Axe handle assault in Midlands turf rumours row
Court report on the sentencing of James Fitzgerald for the assault on his neighbour in Clara; no existing case matches this February 2023 incident.
convicted, James Fitzgerald, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Fitzgeraldvictim, male - 30 May2023Man assaulted in Offaly in row over turf
Court report of sentencing. Adds the sentence (€300 fine and a two-month sentence suspended for two years), the weapon, the injury and the defendant's background. Matches no existing case; the existing James Fitzgerald cases involve different ages, places and offences.
convicted, James Fitzgerald, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Fitzgerald