Ireland Case No. 4282Attempted murder, assault causing serious harm, arson · Co. Tipperary · 11 Oct 2025
Man on trial for attempted murder after Tipperary petrol attack
Patrick Williams, a 42-year-old man, suffered serious burns when he was doused in petrol and set alight at Knockane, Ballylooby, Co Tipperary shortly after 9pm on Saturday 11 October 2025. He was treated at the scene and taken to Cork University Hospital, later transferred to St James' Hospital in Dublin, where he remained in a critical but stable condition. Luke Caplice and Chad Allan, both in their 20s, were arrested and charged with his attempted murder, assault causing serious harm and arson, and were remanded in custody after appearances at Dungarvan and Clonmel District Courts. Caplice, now 29, pleaded guilty to attempted murder at the Central Criminal Court in July 2026, with sentencing adjourned to 2 November. Allan, now 28, pleaded not guilty and went on trial before a jury at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Limerick on 11 November 2026.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrested12 Oct
- Charged13 Oct
3 reports - In court13 Oct
5 reports - Convicted31 Jul
- Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Patrick Williams, a 42-year-old man, was doused in petrol and set alight, suffering very serious burns to much of his body, and another man was seriously assaulted in the same incident.
- Where
- The incident happened at Knockane, Ballylooby, Co Tipperary.
- When
- The assault happened shortly after 9pm on Saturday, 11 October 2025.
- Weapon
- The prosecution says Luke Caplice arrived in a grey jeep that was driven into a red Audi owned by John Coffey, then threw significant quantities of petrol over Mr Williams and set him on fire using a lighter.
- Investigation
- Gardaí arrested two males in their 20s; Garda Kieran Hayes said Luke Caplice was arrested at 11.05pm on 11 October and taken to Cahir Garda Station, and Detective Garda Conor Gleeson said Chad Allan was arrested at 12.40am, both detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.
- The prosecution alleges Allan acted jointly with Caplice in the attack and that both had the specific intent that Patrick Williams would die in the fire, and also in making off with fuel without paying and in the alleged arson of the red Audi.
- Charges
- Luke Caplice and Chad Allan were charged with the attempted murder of Patrick Williams, assault causing serious harm and arson by setting fire to a red Audi at Knockane, Ballylooby on 11 October 2025, and a previous charge of assault causing harm under Section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences of the Person Act 1997 was withdrawn.
- Both men were also charged with stealing green diesel, petrol, kerosene, two coffees and a can of Red Bull at Top Oil Service Station, Cashel Road, Cahir on the same date, and Caplice was separately charged with criminal damage to a car at Cois na hAbhainn, Ballyporeen and using a false vehicle registration plate at the Cahir filling station.
- Luke Caplice, aged 29, of Knockane, Ballylooby, pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court to the attempted murder of Patrick Williams on 31 July 2026.
- In court
- The men appeared before Judge John O'Leary at Dungarvan District Court on 13 October 2025 and at Clonmel District Court the next day, where neither applied for bail and both were remanded in custody, later to 28 October for the DPP's directions.
- The DPP directed that both men be tried on indictment on the attempted murder charge at the Central Criminal Court.
- Mr Justice Paul McDermott adjourned the case to 2 November and directed that a victim impact statement be prepared.
- Chad Allan, aged 28, of Cahir, pleaded not guilty before the Central Criminal Court sitting in Limerick on 11 November 2026 to attempted murder, assault causing serious harm, arson of a car belonging to John Coffey and theft from a filling station owned by James Butler, and a jury of six men and six women was sworn in with evidence due before Ms Justice Melanie Greally.
- Other details
- The victim was treated at the scene, taken by ambulance to Cork University Hospital and later transferred to St James' Hospital in Dublin, where he remained in a critical but stable condition after weeks of treatment for burns all over his body.
- When charged, Allan replied 'it wasn't me' and Caplice replied 'it didn't happen' to the assault charge and 'it wasn't me' to the criminal damage charge, and the court heard both men have mental health difficulties.
101 statements extracted from the articles
- whatAnother man was seriously assaulted in Co Tipperary. (rte.ie)
- whatA man in his 40s had petrol thrown on him before being set alight. (corkbeo.ie)
- whatEmergency responders treated the man at the scene. (corkbeo.ie)
- whatThe victim was transported by ambulance to Cork University Hospital. (corkbeo.ie)
- whatThe victim is being treated for very serious burns to much of his body. (corkbeo.ie)
- whatTwo males in their 20s were arrested in connection with the incident. (corkbeo.ie)
- whatTwo men are charged with assaulting and harming a man aged in his 40s who suffered severe burns. (tipperarylive.ie)
- whatThe assault victim is a man aged in his 40s who suffered severe burns. (tipperarylive.ie)
- whatThe assault victim was transferred from Cork University Hospital to St James' Hospital in Dublin where he remains in a critical but stable condition. (tipperarylive.ie)
- whatA 42-year-old man suffered serious burn injuries when he was doused in petrol and set alight. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe prosecution says Patrick Williams drove a red Audi owned by John Coffey to the home of Luke Caplice on 11 October 2025. (limerickpost.ie)
- whatLuke Caplice arrived in a grey jeep and an altercation was captured on CCTV. (limerickpost.ie)
- whatThe grey jeep was driven into the red Audi in an aggressive and violent way, pushing it backwards. (limerickpost.ie)
- whatLuke Caplice allegedly threw significant quantities of petrol over Mr Williams and set him on fire using a lighter. (limerickpost.ie)
- whereThe incident happened in Knockane. (rte.ie)
- whereThe assault happened in Knockane, County Tipperary. (tipperarylive.ie)
- whereThe incident occurred in Knockane, Co Tipperary. (corkbeo.ie)
- whereThe assault happened at Knockane, Ballylooby. (tipperarylive.ie)
- whereThe incident happened at Knockane, Ballylooby, Co Tipperary. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe attempted murder took place at Knockane. (tipperarylive.ie)
- whenThe incident happened at around 9pm on the evening before the article was published. (rte.ie)
- whenThe assault happened shortly after 9pm on Saturday, 11 October 2025. (tipperarylive.ie)
- whenThe incident occurred shortly after 9pm on Saturday 11 October 2025. (corkbeo.ie)
- whenThe assault occurred on October 11. (tipperarylive.ie)
- whenThe incident happened on October 11th, 2025. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe incident occurred on 11 October 2025. (tipperarylive.ie)
- investigationGardaí say investigations are ongoing. (rte.ie)
- investigationGardaí are investigating and investigations are ongoing. (tipperarylive.ie)
- investigationThe two men were detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 at a Garda station in Co Tipperary. (corkbeo.ie)
- investigationGardaí are investigating a serious assault. (corkbeo.ie)
- investigationDetective Garda Conor Gleeson gave evidence of arresting Chad Allan at 12.40am for the purpose of charging him. (tipperarylive.ie)
- investigationGarda Kieran Hayes gave evidence that he arrested Luke Caplice at 11.05pm on October 11 and brought him to Cahir Garda Station. (tipperarylive.ie)
- investigationDetective Garda Conor Gleeson gave evidence of arresting Chad Allan at 12.40am on Monday for the purpose of charging him. (tipperarylive.ie)
- investigationGarda Kieran Hayes gave evidence that he arrested Luke Caplice at 11.05pm on Saturday, October 11 and brought him to Cahir Garda Station. (tipperarylive.ie)
- investigationDet Gda Kieran Hayes said Mr Caplice made no reply to any of the three charges when arrested and charged at 11.15am. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationDet Gda Conor Gleeson said Mr Adams similarly made no reply to any of the charges when put to him after caution. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe prosecution alleges Allan acted jointly with Luke Caplice in an attempt to murder Mr Williams. (limerickpost.ie)
- investigationThe prosecution says Allan participated in the joint attack and that he and Caplice had the specific intent that Patrick Williams would die in the fire. (limerickpost.ie)
- investigationThe prosecution also alleges Allan acted jointly with Caplice in making off with fuel from a filling station without paying and in the alleged arson of the red Audi. (limerickpost.ie)
- chargeBoth men have since been charged. (tipperarylive.ie)
- chargeBoth men have been charged. (corkbeo.ie)
- chargeTwo men were charged with assaulting and causing harm to a man aged in his 40s at Knockane, Ballylooby on October 11. (tipperarylive.ie)
- chargeBoth men are also charged with stealing green diesel, petrol, kerosene, two coffees and a can of Red Bull at Top Oil Service Station, Cashel Road, Cahir on the same date. (tipperarylive.ie)
- chargeCaplice is separately charged with criminal damage to a car at Cois na hAbhainn, Ballyporeen and using a false registration plate at Top Oil Service Station in Cahir on October 11. (tipperarylive.ie)
- chargeBoth men are charged with stealing green diesel, petrol, kerosene, two coffees and a can of Red Bull at Top Oil Service Station, Cashel Road, Cahir on the same date. (tipperarylive.ie)
- chargeCaplice is separately charged with criminal damage to a car at Cois na hAbhainn, Ballyporeen on October 11. (tipperarylive.ie)
- chargeCaplice is also charged with using a false instrument, a vehicle registration plate, at Top Oil Service Station, Cashel Road, Cahir on October 11. (tipperarylive.ie)
- chargeTwo men were charged with assault causing harm at Knockane, Ballylooby on October 11. (tipperarylive.ie)
- chargeCaplice is also charged with using a false instrument, a vehicle registration plate, at Top Oil Service Station in Cahir on October 11. (tipperarylive.ie)
- chargeCaplice is also charged with using a false vehicle registration plate at Top Oil Service Station, Cashel Road, Cahir on October 11. (tipperarylive.ie)
- chargeLuke Caplice and Chad Allen were charged with the attempted murder of Patrick Williams. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeBoth men were also charged with assault causing serious harm to Mr Williams. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeBoth men were charged with arson by setting fire to a red Audi. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeCaplice pleaded guilty to a charge of attempted murder of Patrick Williams. (tipperarylive.ie)
- chargeAllan is charged with the attempted murder of Patrick Williams at Knockane, Ballylooby, Cahir, County Tipperary, on 11 October 2025. (limerickpost.ie)
- chargeAllan also pleaded not guilty to assaulting Mr Williams causing him serious harm at the same location on the same date. (limerickpost.ie)
- chargeAllan denied a charge of arson of a car belonging to John Coffey at the same location on the same date. (limerickpost.ie)
- chargeAllan denied the theft of green diesel, petrol, kerosene, two cups of coffee and a can of Redbull from a filling station owned by James Butler in Cahir on the same date. (limerickpost.ie)
- courtBoth men are expected to appear before Dungarvan District Court on Monday, 13 October 2025. (tipperarylive.ie)
- courtThe two men are expected to appear before Dungarvan District Court on Monday 13 October 2025. (corkbeo.ie)
- courtLuke Caplice and Chad Allan appeared before Judge John O'Leary at Dungarvan District Court. (tipperarylive.ie)
- courtDefence solicitor David Burke requested that both men appear in person rather than by video link so family members could assist with a bail application. (tipperarylive.ie)
- courtThe men appeared before Judge John O'Leary at Clonmel District Court on Tuesday, October 14. (tipperarylive.ie)
- courtThe men were remanded in custody for two weeks to appear via video link from Limerick Prison on October 28 for the DPP's directions. (tipperarylive.ie)
- courtThe men appeared before Judge John O'Leary at Clonmel District Court on Tuesday and were remanded in custody for two weeks. (tipperarylive.ie)
- courtThe solicitor said the men were not applying for bail and requested a two week adjournment. (tipperarylive.ie)
- courtThe men appeared before Dungarvan District Court on Monday where gardaí gave evidence of arresting, charging and cautioning them. (tipperarylive.ie)
- courtThe men had appeared before Dungarvan District Court the previous day where gardaí gave evidence of arresting, charging and cautioning them. (tipperarylive.ie)
- courtThe men appeared before Carrick-on-Suir District Court on Wednesday. (irishtimes.com)
- courtGardaí objected to bail but neither accused applied for bail and both were remanded in continuing custody. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe State withdrew a previous charge of assault causing harm under Section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences of the Person Act 1997. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe DPP directed that both men be tried on indictment on the attempted murder charge at the Central Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
- courtJudge John O'Leary remanded both men in continuing custody to appear at Clonmel District Court on Friday by video link. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe plea was entered at the Central Criminal Court. (tipperarylive.ie)
- courtMr Justice Paul McDermott adjourned the matter to 2 November. (tipperarylive.ie)
- courtThe judge directed that a victim impact statement be prepared. (tipperarylive.ie)
- courtChad Allan pleaded not guilty before the Central Criminal Court sitting in Limerick on 11 November 2026. (limerickpost.ie)
- courtA jury of six men and six women was sworn in on Wednesday to hear the case. (limerickpost.ie)
- courtEvidence is due to start on Thursday before Ms Justice Melanie Greally. (limerickpost.ie)
- sentenceJudge O'Leary remanded both men in custody overnight at Clonmel Garda Station to appear in person at Clonmel District Court the next day. (tipperarylive.ie)
- otherThe victim was treated at the scene and taken to Cork University Hospital with serious injuries. (rte.ie)
- otherThe two men arrested are both in their 20s and are being held at a garda station in Co Tipperary. (rte.ie)
- otherA man in his 40s was treated at the scene and taken to Cork University Hospital with serious injuries. (tipperarylive.ie)
- otherThe article headline says the man was doused in petrol. (tipperarylive.ie)
- otherTwo males aged in their 20s were arrested and detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 at a Garda Station in Tipperary. (tipperarylive.ie)
- otherAllan replied 'it wasn't me' after the two charges were read out to him and he was cautioned. (tipperarylive.ie)
- otherCaplice replied 'it didn't happen' to the assault charge and 'it wasn't me' to the criminal damage charge. (tipperarylive.ie)
- otherSolicitor Aidan Leahy said the men were not applying for bail and requested a two week adjournment. (tipperarylive.ie)
- otherBoth men have mental health difficulties and the judge recommended they receive attention for these in prison. (tipperarylive.ie)
- otherThis was the two men's second court appearance in two days. (tipperarylive.ie)
- otherAllan replied 'it wasn't me' after the assault and theft charges were read out to him. (tipperarylive.ie)
- otherCaplice said he had full intentions of paying back and his card didn't work in response to the theft charge. (tipperarylive.ie)
- otherCaplice said he damaged his plate and made a mistake getting the new one made in response to the false registration plate charge. (tipperarylive.ie)
- otherCaplice replied 'it didn't happen' when the assault charge was read to him and 'it wasn't me' when the criminal damage charge was read to him. (tipperarylive.ie)
- otherCaplice said 'I had full intentions of paying back. My card didn't work' in response to the theft charge. (tipperarylive.ie)
- otherCaplice said 'I damaged my plate and I made a mistake getting the new one made' when the false registration plate charge was put to him. (tipperarylive.ie)
- otherMr Williams spent weeks in hospital receiving treatment for burn injuries all over his body. (irishtimes.com)
- otherCaplice is being held in Limerick prison. (tipperarylive.ie)
- otherCaplice is anxious to be sentenced in Dublin. (tipperarylive.ie)
- otherAllan is represented in the trial by senior counsel Bernard Condon. (limerickpost.ie)
- otherThe prosecution is led by senior counsel Eoghan Cole, assisted by Edmund Sweetman BL, instructed by the solicitor for the DPP. (limerickpost.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 11 Nov2026Man pleads not guilty to attempted murder of man doused in petrol and set alight
Chad Allan has pleaded not guilty and his trial has opened before a jury at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Limerick, with the prosecution opening its case alleging he acted jointly with Luke Caplice.
victim, Patrick Williams, 40s, malePatrick Williamsaccused, Chad Allan, 28, male, namedChad Allanother, Luke Caplice, maleLuke Capliceother, John CoffeyJohn Coffeyother, James ButlerJames Butler - 31 Jul2026Man pleads guilty to attempted murder of man in Tipperary
Guilty plea entered at the Central Criminal Court; sentencing adjourned to November 2 and a victim impact statement ordered.
accused, Luke Caplice, 29, male, namedLuke Caplicevictim, Patrick Williams, malePatrick Williamsother, Mr Justice Paul McDermottMr Justice Paul McDermott - 17 Dec2025Pair charged with attempted murder of man (42) doused in petrol and set alight in Tipperary
First report of the charging of both accused. Details the three charges (attempted murder, assault causing serious harm, arson of a red Audi), the withdrawal of an earlier Section 3 NFOA charge, and the DPP's direction for trial on indictment at the Central Criminal Court.
accused, Luke Caplice, 28, namedLuke Capliceaccused, Chad Allen, 27, namedChad Allenvictim, Patrick Williams, 42Patrick Williams - 14 Oct2025'It wasn't me' and 'it didn't happen' - response of men charged with assault in Tipperary
Adds the court appearances at Dungarvan and Clonmel, the remand to 28 October for DPP directions, the additional theft and criminal damage charges, the men's mental health difficulties, and the victim's condition and transfer to St James' Hospital.
accused, Luke Caplice, 28, male, namedLuke Capliceaccused, Chad Allan, 27, male, namedChad Allanvictim, male - 14 Oct2025LIVE: Men charged with serious assault in Tipperary also charged with theft of Red Bull can
Reports the charges put to Caplice and Allan at Dungarvan and Clonmel District Courts, including theft, criminal damage and a false registration plate charge against Caplice, the remand to 28 October, and garda evidence of the arrests. Gives the victim's hospital transfer and critical but stable condition.
victim, maleaccused, Luke Caplice, 28, namedLuke Capliceaccused, Chad Allan, 27, namedChad Allanother, John O'LearyJohn O'Learyother, Aidan LeahyAidan Leahyother, Conor GleesonConor Gleesonother, Kieran HayesKieran Hayes - 14 Oct2025Two men charged with assaulting and harming man in Tipperary make second court appearance
Second court appearance, on 14 October 2025, at Clonmel District Court. Adds the further charges of theft from Top Oil Service Station in Cahir, criminal damage to a car in Ballyporeen and using a false registration plate; the solicitor said both men have mental health difficulties; the case returns on 28 October for DPP directions.
victim, maleaccused, Luke Caplice, 28, namedLuke Capliceaccused, Chad Allan, 27, namedChad Allanother, Aidan LeahyAidan Leahyother, John O'LearyJohn O'Leary - 13 Oct2025Two men charged with serious assault of man in Tipperary are remanded in custody
Adds that both men were also charged with theft from Top Oil Service Station in Cahir, that Caplice was charged with criminal damage to a car in Ballyporeen and with using a false registration plate, that the victim was in his 40s, and that both men were remanded in custody. Records the men's responses to the charges and the arrest times.
accused, Luke Caplice, 28, namedLuke Capliceaccused, Chad Allan, 27, namedChad Allanvictimother, David BurkeDavid Burke - 13 Oct2025Two men in court after man doused in petrol and set alight in Co Tipperary
Initial report of the incident, the arrests of two men in their 20s, their charging, and their scheduled court appearance at Dungarvan District Court.
victim, 40s, malesuspect, 20s, malesuspect, 20s, male - 13 Oct2025LIVE: Two men charged over serious assault in Tipperary after man doused in petrol
Adds the location in Knockane, the timing, the petrol detail in the headline, the arrests, charges and court date for two men in their 20s.
victim, 40s, maleaccused, 20s, maleaccused, 20s, male - 12 Oct2025Two men arrested after serious assault in Co Tipperary
First report of the incident. Gives the location, time, victim's age and hospital, and says two men in their 20s are held at a Co Tipperary garda station.
victim, 40s, malesuspect, 20s, malesuspect, 20s, male
This page is put together automatically from the reports listed above. A charge is not a conviction. If something here is wrong or out of date, report it.