Friday 30 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. 15487Assault causing harm · Co. Louth · 26 Sep 2019

Man sentenced to 12 months for stabbing garda in Dundalk

On 26 September 2019, a garda was attacked at The Bakehouse apartments on Church Street, Dundalk, after he was called over abusive visitors to the home of Michael Connolly (56). Connolly stabbed the garda with a pointed trowel, put his fingers in the garda's eyes, and banged his head off concrete, and the garda was taken to hospital. Connolly was later sentenced for assault causing harm at Dundalk Circuit Court, a hearing reported on 13 November 2024. Judge Dara Hayes adjusted the sentence to 12 months, to run consecutively to the 10 years Connolly was already serving.

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

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Michael Connolly (56) assaulted the garda, causing him harm.
  • Connolly charged at the garda and picked up a trowel from the kitchen table.
  • Connolly put his fingers in the garda's eyes.
  • After the garda lost his footing, Connolly banged his head off concrete.
Where
The garda was called to The Bakehouse apartments on Church Street, Dundalk, where Connolly was living.
When
The assault took place on 26 September 2019.
Cause
The garda was called because visitors to Connolly's home were being abusive.
Weapon
Connolly stabbed the garda with a pointed trowel.
Other details
  • The garda had bite marks to his shoulders and arms, lacerations to his neck and face, and was bleeding heavily.
  • The garda was taken to hospital by patrol car.
  • The garda's victim impact statement was read to the court in Connolly's absence.
In court
The case was heard at Dundalk Circuit Court, with Judge Dara Hayes presiding over sentencing, as reported on 13 November 2024.
Sentence
  • The judge said a sentence of two and a half years would be appropriate before adjusting it to 12 months.
  • The 12-month sentence was to run consecutively to the 10 years Connolly was already serving.
18 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatConnolly charged at the garda and picked up a trowel from the kitchen table. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatConnolly stuck his fingers in the garda's eyes. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatConnolly thumped the garda's head off the concrete. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whereThe garda was called to an apartment complex in Dundalk. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whereConnolly was living at The Bakehouse apartments on Church Street, Dundalk. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whenThe assault took place on 26 September 2019. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • causeThe garda was called over visitors to Connolly's home who were being abusive. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • weaponConnolly stabbed the garda with a trowel. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • chargeConnolly was sentenced for assault causing harm. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtThe case was heard at Dundalk Circuit Court. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtJudge Dara Hayes presided over the sentencing. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge said a sentence of two and a half years would be appropriate before adjusting it. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • sentenceThe sentence was adjusted to 12 months. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • sentenceThe sentence was to be consecutive to the 10 years Connolly was already serving. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • otherThe garda had bite marks to his shoulders and arms. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • otherThe garda was bleeding heavily and was taken to hospital by patrol car. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • otherThe garda sustained lacerations to his neck and face. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • otherThe garda's victim impact statement was read to the court in Connolly's absence. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 13 Nov2024
    Sentenceddundalkdemocrat.ie, first report
    Convicted killer sentenced for vicious attack on garda in Dundalk

    Sentencing report for the assault on a garda at The Bakehouse apartments, Dundalk. The article also reports a separate verdict in which Connolly was found not guilty of arson and criminal damage by reason of insanity; that is not part of this case. It mentions his earlier manslaughter conviction only as background.

    convicted, Michael Connolly, 56, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Connollyvictim, male