Ireland Man sentenced over car crash and axe attack in Dundalk Retail Park
On 5 April 2019 at Dundalk Retail Park, County Louth, Aleksandrs Martinovs, a 48 year old man, crashed head on into a car belonging to a man who was his ex-wife's new partner, then took an axe from his own car and threw it, hitting the victim's back. He then picked up a rock and chased the victim again. Martinovs pleaded guilty to assault causing harm, criminal damage and driving without insurance, and Judge Dara Hayes at Dundalk Circuit Court imposed sentences totalling four years with the final 12 months suspended, so he was jailed for three years, and he was given a 12-year driving ban. The sentencing was reported on 16 May 2024, with the court having heard the case the previous week.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced15 May
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Aleksandrs Martinovs crashed head on into the victim's car in a car park.
- He then took an axe from his own car and threw it, hitting the victim's back; the court report's headline says he fired the axe, while its text says he threw it.
- He then picked up a rock and chased the victim again.
- Where
- The incident happened at Dundalk Retail Park, Dundalk, County Louth.
- When
- The incident happened on 5 April 2019.
- Weapon
- The axe was taken from the defendant's own car.
- Charges
- Martinovs pleaded guilty to assault causing harm, criminal damage and driving without insurance.
- In court
- The case was heard at Dundalk Circuit Court, and Martinovs had 26 previous convictions.
- Martinovs was disqualified from driving and was uninsured at the time of the incident.
- Sentence
- Judge Dara Hayes imposed sentences totalling four years and suspended the final 12 months, so Martinovs was jailed for three years.
- The judge imposed a 12-year driving ban.
- Other details
- Martinovs said the collision was not deliberate and that he did not intend the axe to hit the man.
- A victim impact statement said the victim suffers from panic attacks, PTSD and anxiety.
14 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe defendant crashed head on into the victim's car in a car park. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whatThe defendant threw the axe, hitting the victim's back. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whatThe defendant then picked up a rock and chased the victim again. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whereThe incident happened at Dundalk Retail Park. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whenThe incident happened on 5 April 2019. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- weaponThe defendant took an axe from his own car and chased the victim. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- chargeThe defendant pleaded guilty to assault causing harm, criminal damage and driving without insurance. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- courtThe defendant had 26 previous convictions. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- sentenceThe defendant was jailed for three years at Dundalk Circuit Court. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- sentenceJudge Dara Hayes imposed sentences totalling four years and suspended the final 12 months. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- sentenceThe judge imposed a 12-year driving ban. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- otherThe defendant was disqualified from driving and uninsured at the time. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- otherThe defendant said the collision was not deliberate and that he did not intend the axe to hit the man. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- otherA victim impact statement said the victim suffers from panic attacks, PTSD and anxiety. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 15 May2024Dundalk Court: Man crashed into ex-wife’s partner’s car then fired axe at him
Court report on the sentencing of Aleksandrs Martinovs at Dundalk Circuit Court, published 16 May 2024, about an incident on 5 April 2019. No existing case matches this incident.
convicted, Aleksandrs Martinovs, 48, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Aleksandrs Martinovsvictim, male