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. 0213Assault causing serious harm · Co. Westmeath · 1 Mar 2025

Man sentenced to six years for stabbing in Athlone

On 1 March 2025, Mark Conway, 40, stabbed a former friend seven times in the abdomen and arm in Marine View, Athlone, Co Westmeath, after an argument over a €20 horse bet. The victim's liver was sliced, requiring emergency surgery and removal of his gallbladder. Conway pleaded guilty to causing serious harm and other charges at Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court. On 2 October 2026, he was sentenced to seven years with 12 months suspended, running consecutively to a five-year, three-month sentence imposed in January.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced2 Oct
    2 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Conway stabbed a former friend seven times in the abdomen and arm after an argument over a €20 horse bet.
  • The victim's liver was sliced, requiring emergency surgery, and his gallbladder was removed.
Where
The attack took place in Marine View, Athlone, Co Westmeath.
When
The stabbing occurred at 9.45pm on 1 March 2025.
Weapon
Conway had a flick knife, a shovel, and a pole during the confrontation.
Cause
The two men had jointly placed a €20 bet on a horse and later argued over the money.
Investigation
Gardaí found blood trails from the victim leading to each man's home, and CCTV from a nearby house was played in court.
Charges
Conway pleaded guilty to causing serious harm and other charges connected to the knife attack.
In court
The case was heard at Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court.
Sentence
On 2 October 2026, Conway was sentenced to seven years with the final 12 months suspended, running consecutively to a five-year, three-month sentence imposed in January.
Other details
  • Conway had 26 prior convictions and was on bail for a separate attack on his ex-partner at the time.
  • The judge said the victim was justified in acting in self-defence when he disarmed Conway of the pole.
35 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatConway is 40 years old and a father of two from Athlone. (rte.ie)
  • whatThe victim's liver was sliced, requiring emergency surgery, and his gallbladder was removed. (rte.ie)
  • whatConway stabbed the man seven times in the abdomen and arm. (rte.ie)
  • whatGardaí found blood trails from the stab victim leading to each man's home. (rte.ie)
  • whatThe victim and Conway had been friends who had been drinking together. (rte.ie)
  • whatThey had jointly placed a €20 bet on a horse over the previous days. (rte.ie)
  • whatConway demanded 'I want my f*****g money'. (rte.ie)
  • whatThe victim disarmed Conway of the pole. (rte.ie)
  • whatThe victim lost consciousness and was rushed to hospital, where he was saved by keyhole surgery. (rte.ie)
  • whatBoth the victim and his partner have post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of the attack. (rte.ie)
  • whatConway began drinking from the age of 14 after his mother died. (rte.ie)
  • whatThe victim was stabbed seven times in the abdomen and arm. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe stabbing sliced the victim's liver, requiring emergency surgery and removal of his gallbladder. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe attack took place in Marine View, Athlone, Co Westmeath. (rte.ie)
  • whereThe attack took place in Marine View, Athlone, County Westmeath. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe stabbing took place on 1 March 2025. (rte.ie)
  • whenAt 9.45pm Conway turned up at his friend's home and banged the door with a pole. (rte.ie)
  • whenThe knife attack happened on March 1st, 2025. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe attack happened at 9.45pm. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeThey later argued over the money. (rte.ie)
  • causeThe two men had jointly placed a €20 bet on a horse and later argued over the money. (irishtimes.com)
  • weaponConway returned with a shovel and a flick knife. (rte.ie)
  • weaponConway had a shovel and a flick knife during the row. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationCCTV from a nearby house was played in court. (rte.ie)
  • investigationGardaí found blood trails from the victim leading to each man's home. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeConway pleaded guilty to causing serious harm and other charges connected to the knife attack. (rte.ie, irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe case was heard at Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceThe judge imposed a seven-year sentence but suspended the final 12 months with conditions. (rte.ie)
  • sentenceThe new sentence runs consecutively to a five-year, three-month sentence imposed in January. (rte.ie)
  • sentenceA man was jailed for six years for stabbing a former friend seven times over a bet on a horse. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceThe sentence runs consecutively to a five-year, three-month sentence imposed in January. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceA seven-year sentence was imposed with the final 12 months suspended. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe judge said the victim was justified in acting in self-defence. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe victim and his partner both have post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of the attack. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherConway had 26 prior convictions. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 2 Oct2026
    Sentencedirishtimes.com, its first report
    Man sentenced to six years for repeatedly stabbing former friend over horse bet

    Reports the sentencing of Mark Conway for the stabbing, including details of the attack, the victim's injuries, prior convictions, and the judge's remarks.

    convicted, Mark Conway, 40, male, named, irish (judged from name)Mark Conwayvictim, male
  2. 2 Oct2026
    Sentencedrte.ie, first report
    Man on bail who stabbed friend jailed for 6 further years

    Details of the sentencing: seven-year term with 12 months suspended (conditions include no contact with victim or family for five years), running consecutively to the January sentence; full account of the attack (pole, shovel, flick knife); victim impact statements; Conway's 26 prior convictions; background on the Fitzpatrick assault; Judge Keenan Johnson's 'Jekyll and Hyde' description; CCTV evidence; self-defence finding.

    victim, maleconvicted, Mark Conway, 40, male, named, irish (judged from name)Mark Conway