Saturday 31 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. 19157Assault causing harm · Co. Louth · 19 Apr 2019

Man given suspended sentence for punching GAA player in Louth match

On 19 April 2019, Jack Butterly, a 29-year-old man, punched a St. Fechin's player he was marking during a GAA match at the grounds of Naomh Fionnbarra in Ballygassan, Annagassan, County Louth, breaking the player's jaw. A jury convicted Butterly of assault causing harm in April. Dundalk Circuit Court imposed a two-year sentence suspended in its entirety on Butterly entering a good behaviour bond, and the sentence was reported on 15 November 2023 as handed down the week before.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced15 Nov
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A 29-year-old man broke the jaw of the player he was marking in a GAA match in County Louth.
Where
The assault happened at the grounds of Naomh Fionnbarra in Ballygassan, Annagassan, County Louth.
When
The assault happened on 19 April 2019.
Cause
The victim, who played for St. Fechin's, was returning to his position for a kick out when he was punched on the left side of the face without warning.
Other details
  • The victim required surgery to repair his jaw, including removal of a wisdom tooth.
  • The victim waited a month to report the assault because he had hoped the GAA could handle it.
  • The victim said he would prefer that the accused did not receive a custodial sentence.
  • The defence said the accused had no previous convictions, had stopped playing for years, had misused alcohol and cocaine, and had completed a four-week inpatient rehab course.
  • The accused works on his father's dairy farm and had 10,000 euro in court to show remorse.
  • The judge said the punch was far outside the rules of the game.
Investigation
The investigating sergeant believes the accused is unlikely to come back before the courts.
Charges
Jack Butterly of Clonmore, Togher was convicted by a jury in April of assault causing harm.
In court
The sentence was imposed at Dundalk Circuit Court.
Sentence
The judge imposed a two-year sentence suspended in its entirety on the accused entering a good behaviour bond.
15 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA 29-year-old man broke the jaw of a player he was marking in a GAA match in County Louth. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whereThe assault happened at the grounds of Naomh Fionnbarra in Ballygassan, Annagassan. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whenThe assault happened on 19 April 2019. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • causeThe victim was punched on the left side of the face without warning while returning to his position for a kick out. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • investigationThe investigating sergeant believes the accused is unlikely to come back before the courts. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • chargeThe accused was convicted by a jury in April of assault causing harm. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtThe sentence was imposed at Dundalk Circuit Court. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge imposed a two-year sentence suspended in its entirety on the accused entering a good behaviour bond. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • otherThe victim required surgery, including removal of a wisdom tooth. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • otherThe victim waited a month to report the assault because he had hoped the GAA could handle it. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • otherThe victim said he would prefer that the accused did not receive a custodial sentence. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • otherThe defence said the accused had no previous convictions. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • otherThe defence said the accused stopped playing for years, misused alcohol and cocaine, and completed a four-week inpatient rehab course. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • otherThe accused works on his father's dairy farm and had 10,000 euro in court to show remorse. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • otherThe judge said the punch was far outside the rules of the game. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 15 Nov2023
    Sentenceddundalkdemocrat.ie, first report
    Dundalk court: Broke GAA player's jaw during match in Louth

    Reports the sentence handed down at Dundalk Circuit Court, the jury conviction, the victim's injuries and the victim impact statement.

    convicted, Jack Butterly, 29, male, named, irish (judged from name)Jack Butterlyvictim