Sunday 1 November 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. 21862Assault (Section 3, Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997) · Co. Laois · 12 Dec 2017

Man sentenced for assault on prison officer at Midlands Prison

Patrick Kinsella, a man aged 43 (reports differ, 44), of Clondalkin, Dublin, admitted assaulting a prison officer with a brush at Midlands Prison, Portlaoise, on 12 December 2017. The officer sustained a laceration to the right side of the forehead that required no stitches. Kinsella, who had 174 previous convictions and was serving a sentence with a release date of 19 June 2025, had become frustrated over clothing issues following a transfer from Cloverhill. The case was heard at Portlaoise District Court, where Judge Cody accepted jurisdiction in February 2023. In March 2023, Cody imposed a three-month prison sentence to commence when his existing sentence ends in 2025.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court3 Feb
    2 reports
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced17 Mar
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Patrick Kinsella admitted smashing an office window and striking a prison officer with a brush at Midlands Prison.
Where
The assault took place at Midlands Prison, Portlaoise, County Laois.
When
The assault occurred on 12 December 2017.
Weapon
A brush was used to strike the officer.
Charges
Kinsella was charged with assault under Section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997.
In court
The case was heard at Portlaoise District Court, where Judge John Brennan adjourned for DPP directions in February 2023 and Judge Cody accepted jurisdiction on 16 February 2023.
Sentence
Judge Andrew Cody imposed a three-month prison sentence to commence when Kinsella's existing sentence ends in 2025.
Other details
  • The medical report detailed a laceration to the right side of the forehead; cleaning and a dressing were applied but no stitches were needed.
  • Kinsella had 174 previous convictions and was serving a sentence with a release date of 19 June 2025.
  • Kinsella had become frustrated over clothing issues following a transfer from Cloverhill to Midlands Prison.
19 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe defendant made no reply when charged (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatThe prison officer received medical treatment at the scene for a cut to the head (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatThe medical report detailed a laceration to the right side of the forehead. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatCleaning and a dressing was applied but no stitches were needed. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatHe smashed an office window before hitting the officer with the brush (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereThe assault took place at Midlands Prison. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenThe assault occurred on 12 December 2017. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationThe case had been adjourned for the judge to decide whether to accept jurisdiction. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtJudge John Brennan said further details of the alleged injury were needed before the court could accept jurisdiction (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe case was adjourned to 16 February 2023 for DPP directions (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe case was heard at Portlaoise District Court. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtJudge Cody accepted jurisdiction. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe case was adjourned to Portlaoise District Court on 16 March. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceJudge Andrew Cody imposed a three-month prison sentence to commence when his existing sentence ends in 2025 (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe man had 174 previous convictions (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherHe was serving a sentence in prison with a release date of 19 June 2025 (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherHe had moved from Cloverhill to Midlands Prison and there was an issue with the transfer of his clothes (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThere was an early plea (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherRecognisance was fixed in case of appeal (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 17 Mar2023
    Sentencedleinsterexpress.ie, follow-up
    Vented anger and assaulted prison officer

    Reports the sentencing of Patrick Kinsella for assaulting a prison officer with a brush at Midlands Prison; three-month sentence to run consecutively to his existing sentence ending in 2025.

    convicted, Patrick Kinsella, 44, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick Kinsellavictim, male
  2. 17 Feb2023
    In courtleinsterexpress.ie, follow-up
    Man accused of assaulting prison officer

    Medical details of the injury (laceration to right side of forehead, no stitches needed) were heard; Judge Cody accepted jurisdiction and adjourned the case to 16 March 2023.

    suspect, Patrick Kinsella, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick Kinsellavictim
  3. 3 Feb2023
    In courtleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Allegedly assaulted a prison officer in Portlaoise

    Reports an earlier court appearance in which Judge John Brennan adjourned the case for DPP directions, noting the prison officer received medical treatment at the scene for a cut to the head and that further details of the injury were needed before the court could accept jurisdiction.

    victimaccused, Patrick Kinsella, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick Kinsella