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. 17183Assault causing harm · Co. Laois · 13 Oct 2022

Man sentenced to three months for assault at Midlands Prison, Portlaoise

On 13 October 2022, David McCarthy (30), of Croydon, London, was put in a cell with fellow prisoner Keith Williams at the Midlands Prison in Portlaoise, Co Laois, and assaulted him, according to Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby. McCarthy pleaded guilty to assault causing harm. On 20 May 2024 he was sentenced to three months in prison, starting from the date of the court hearing. He is serving a separate five-year sentence, and the court heard he was due for release on 23 September 2025.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced20 May
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • David McCarthy (30), of Croydon, London, was the defendant in the case.
  • Keith Williams, a man, was the victim of the assault.
Where
The assault happened at the Midlands Prison in Portlaoise, Co Laois.
When
  • The assault took place on 13 October 2022.
  • The sentence was reported on 20 May 2024.
Cause
The defendant was put in a cell with the victim and assaulted him, according to Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby.
Other details
  • The victim needed glue stitching to a cut on his head and physiotherapy to his back and shoulder.
  • The defendant is serving a five-year sentence and is due for release on 23 September 2025, although the defence barrister said he had 15 months left to serve.
Investigation
Gardaí said a couple of other people were involved in the assault.
In court
The judge noted that the defendant had not acted alone.
Charges
The defendant pleaded guilty to assault causing harm.
Sentence
The defendant was sentenced to three months in prison, starting from the date of the court hearing.
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe incident happened at the Midlands Prison in Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenThe assault happened on 13 October 2022. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • causeThe defendant was put in a cell with the victim and assaulted him. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeThe defendant pleaded guilty to assault causing harm. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe judge noted the man had not acted alone and that he had entered a guilty plea. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceThe defendant was sentenced to three months in prison, starting from the date of the court hearing. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe victim needed glue stitching to a cut on his head and physiotherapy to his back and shoulder. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherGardaí said there were a couple of other people involved. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe defendant is serving a five-year sentence and is due for release on 23 September 2025. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe defence barrister said the defendant had 15 months left to serve. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 20 May2024
    Sentencedleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Jail sentence handed down for assault in Laois prison

    First report of this incident. Covers the guilty plea, the sentence of three months, and the details given in court about the assault and the victim's injuries.

    convicted, David McCarthy, 30, male, named, irish (judged from name)David McCarthyvictim, Keith Williams, maleKeith Williams