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. 9852Assault · Co. Offaly · 17 Sep 2023

Man found guilty of assault before Banagher Horse Fair

On 17 September 2023, shortly before 2am on Main Street, Banagher, Co Offaly, on the night before the Banagher Horse Fair, James Hogan Junior, 34, of Mallow, Co Cork, was alleged to have assaulted John Connors, a Naas resident, who suffered fractured ribs. Hogan pleaded not guilty at Tullamore Circuit Court on 17 April 2026 to assaulting Mr Connors causing him harm, and the trial opened before a jury on 21 April 2026. The jury found him guilty after just over an hour, and Judge Ronan Munro remanded him in custody. Sentencing is scheduled for 8 May.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court30 Apr
    2 reports
  5. Convicted30 Apr
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • The prosecution said Hogan took off a jacket and wore a distinctive orange top underneath.
  • CCTV showed Mr Connors punched several times, then knocked to the ground and kicked in the side and head, and the prosecution expects evidence that Hogan kicked him on the head while he was on the ground.
Where
The alleged assault took place on Main Street, Banagher, Co Offaly, at a fair.
When
The alleged assault took place on 17 September 2023, the night before the Banagher Horse Fair, and the trial came nearly three years later.
Other details
  • Scans at Tullamore Hospital showed fractured ribs, doctors decided he needed a chest drain, and he stayed in hospital for seven days.
  • The prosecution said Hogan had 42 previous convictions.
  • The victim has an address in Naas, and a son of the alleged victim was potentially a witness.
Investigation
  • CCTV footage recorded by a resident's security camera was shown to the jury.
  • Garda Jack O'Sullivan, based in Mallow, recognised Hogan from CCTV footage given to him by Garda Conor Fanning, the Banagher guard who investigated, and identification was the key issue for the jury.
Charges
Hogan pleaded not guilty on 17 April 2026 at Tullamore Circuit Court to assaulting John Connors, causing him harm, and also denied a charge of assaulting another man.
In court
  • A jury of nine men and three women was sworn in, and the trial opened on 21 April 2026 at Tullamore Circuit Court before Judge Ronan Munro.
  • The jury took just over an hour to return a guilty verdict.
  • The victim did not appear at the trial despite a warrant being issued.
Sentence
Hogan was remanded in custody, and a sentencing hearing was scheduled for 8 May.
30 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe prosecution said the accused took off a jacket and wore a distinctive orange top underneath. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whatThe prosecution expects evidence that Hogan kicked the alleged victim on the head and while he was on the ground. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whatA man was found guilty of an assault the night before the Banagher Horse Fair where the victim sustained fractured ribs. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whatThe victim was knocked to the ground and kicked in the side and the head. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whatScans at Tullamore Hospital revealed fractured ribs and doctors decided he needed a chest drain. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whereThe alleged assault took place at Main Street, Banagher, at a fair. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whereThe alleged assault took place on Main Street, Banagher. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whenThe alleged assault took place on 17 September 2023. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whenThe alleged assault happened on the night before the Banagher Horse Fair, nearly three years before the trial. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whenThe CCTV showed the victim being punched several times on the street shortly before 2am on September 17, 2023. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • investigationCCTV footage recorded by a resident with a security camera was to be shown to the jury. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • investigationA garda based in Mallow recognised Hogan as the person responsible for the assault. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • investigationA Mallow guard, Garda Jack O'Sullivan, recognised the accused from CCTV footage given to him by Garda Conor Fanning, the Banagher guard who investigated the assault. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • chargeJames Hogan Junior pleaded not guilty to assaulting John Connors. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • chargeHogan denied a charge of assaulting another man. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • chargeHogan pleaded not guilty to assaulting John Connors causing him harm. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • chargeThe accused pleaded not guilty to assaulting John Connors, causing him harm. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtA jury was sworn in for the trial of the accused. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtThe jury was told to return on Tuesday 21 April, when the trial was expected to begin. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtThe trial opened before a jury of nine men and three women at Tullamore Circuit Court. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtThe trial was continuing before Judge Ronan Munro. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtThe jury took just over an hour to reach a verdict. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtThe victim did not appear at the trial despite a warrant being issued. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • sentenceThe accused was remanded in custody and a sentencing hearing was scheduled for May 8. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherA son of the alleged victim was potentially a witness in the trial. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe alleged victim has an address in Naas. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherHogan is represented by David Nugent, BL. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe victim remained in hospital for seven days. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe key issue for the jury was identification and recognition of the accused. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe prosecution said the accused had 42 previous convictions. (offalyexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 30 Apr2026
    Convictedoffalyexpress.ie, first report
    COURTS: Guilty verdict in Offaly horse fair assault trial

    Reports the jury's guilty verdict at Tullamore Circuit Court and that Judge Munro remanded Hogan in custody for sentencing on May 8.

    convicted, James Hogan Junior, 34, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Hogan Juniorvictim, John Connors, male, irish (judged from name)John Connors
  2. 30 Apr2026
    In courtoffalyexpress.ie, first report
    Trial opens of man accused of assault night before horse fair in Offaly town

    First report of the trial opening at Tullamore Circuit Court. The accused pleaded not guilty and no verdict is reported.

    accused, James Hogan Junior, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Hogan Juniorvictim, John Connors, male, irish (judged from name)John Connors
  3. 30 Apr2026
    In courtoffalyexpress.ie, follow-up
    Man faces trial for alleged assault at Offaly fair

    Reports the Tullamore Circuit Court plea of not guilty, the swearing in of the jury and the expected start of the trial. Also gives the victim's Naas address and notes a son of the alleged victim may be a witness.

    accused, James Hogan Junior, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Hogan Juniorvictim, John Connors, irish (judged from name)John Connors