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. 20351Assault causing harm · Co. Louth · 30 Aug 2019

Man sentenced for fracturing rival player's jaw in Louth football match

Michael Reel, a 31-year-old man, fractured a rival player's jaw with a single punch during a Summer football league final at Ballymakellett, Ravensdale, in north Louth on 30 August 2019. The victim underwent surgery to have three plates fitted and was told to stop contact sports after his surgeon warned a further injury might cause permanent damage. Reel pleaded guilty to a charge of assault causing harm, and the victim withdrew his complaint at the district court stage, where Judge Eirinn McKiernan refused jurisdiction on the basis of the medical report. The case was then heard at Dundalk Circuit Court, where Judge Dara Hayes suspended a 12-month sentence in full on Reel entering a good behaviour bond in July 2023.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced13 Jul
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Michael Reel fractured a rival player's jaw with a single punch during a Summer football league final.
Where
The incident took place at Ballymakellett, Ravensdale, in north Louth.
When
The incident occurred on 30 August 2019.
Cause
The victim's elbow connected with the defendant's face while contesting a high ball from a kick-out, prompting the punch.
Investigation
The victim underwent surgery to have three plates fitted and had to stop contact sports after his surgeon warned a further injury might cause permanent damage.
Charges
Michael Reel pleaded guilty to a charge of assault causing harm.
In court
  • The victim withdrew his complaint at the district court, where Judge Eirinn McKiernan refused jurisdiction on the basis of the medical report.
  • The case was heard at Dundalk Circuit Court.
Sentence
Judge Dara Hayes suspended the 12-month sentence in full on the defendant entering a good behaviour bond.
Other details
  • The defendant had no previous convictions.
  • €7,000 had been accepted by the victim.
12 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe incident occurred during a Summer football league final. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatThe victim underwent surgery to have three plates fitted. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatThe victim had to stop contact sports because his surgeon warned a further injury might cause permanent damage. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whereThe incident took place at Ballymakellett, Ravensdale, in north Louth. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whenThe incident occurred on 30 August 2019. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • chargeMichael Reel pleaded guilty to a charge of assault causing harm. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtThe victim withdrew his complaint when the case was still before the district court. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtJudge Eirinn McKiernan refused jurisdiction on the basis of the medical report. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtThe case was heard at Dundalk Circuit Court. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • sentenceJudge Dara Hayes suspended the 12-month sentence in full on the defendant entering a good behaviour bond. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • otherThe defendant had no previous convictions. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • other€7,000 had been accepted by the victim. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 13 Jul2023
    Sentenceddundalkdemocrat.ie, first report
    Man broke a rival player's jaw during match, Dundalk court heard

    Reports the sentencing at Dundalk Circuit Court, including details of the incident, the victim's injuries and treatment, and the judge's reasoning for suspending the sentence.

    convicted, Michael Reel, 31, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Michael Reelvictim, male