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. 18630Assault · Co. Laois · 30 Dec 2022

Man pleads guilty to assaulting prison officer at Midlands Prison

On 30 December 2022 a prison officer was assaulted at the Midlands Prison in Portlaoise, Co Laois. Paul Buccafurri, 32, whose address is listed as the Midlands Prison, is the accused, and he pleaded guilty to a Section 2 assault on a prison officer that occurred while he was serving a sentence. In January 2024 his solicitor, Philip Meagher, told the court his client had significant psychological issues and had previously requested a report. Judge Nicola Andrews asked for a victim impact statement, and the matter was adjourned back to Portlaoise District Court to April 8, with no sentence reported yet.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Convicted12 Jan
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A man pleaded guilty to assaulting a prison officer in the Midlands Prison.
Where
The incident took place in the Midlands Prison, Dublin Road, Portlaoise, Co Laois.
When
The assault is alleged to have happened on 30 December 2022.
Charges
The accused pleaded guilty to a Section 2 assault on a prison officer.
Other details
  • The accused is named as Paul Buccafurri, aged 32, with an address at the Midlands Prison.
  • The assault is said to have occurred while the accused was serving a sentence.
  • The accused was at the sitting with his mother supporting him.
In court
  • The solicitor, Philip Meagher, said the accused had significant psychological issues and had previously requested a report.
  • Judge Nicola Andrews would need time to review the contents of the report.
  • The judge requested a victim impact statement from the injured party.
  • The matter was adjourned back to Portlaoise District Court on April 8.
Sentence
No sentence has been reported yet.
8 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA man pleaded guilty to assaulting a prison officer in the Midlands Prison. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereThe incident took place in the Midlands Prison. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenThe assault happened on 30 December 2022. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeThe guilty plea was to a Section 2 assault on a prison officer. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe judge requested a victim impact statement from the injured party. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe matter was adjourned back to Portlaoise District Court on April 8. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe solicitor said the accused had significant psychological issues. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe accused was at the sitting with his mother supporting him. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 12 Jan2024
    Convictedleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Man admits assaulting prison officer in Portlaoise

    Court report of a guilty plea to assaulting a prison officer at the Midlands Prison on 30 December 2022. The matter was adjourned for a report and a victim impact statement. This is a different incident from the indecent exposure and theft case in existing case 16438.

    convicted, Paul Buccafurri, 32, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Paul Buccafurrivictim