Thursday 5 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. 25855Assault · Co. Laois · 21 Aug 2021

Man sentenced to two months for assault at Midlands Prison

Christopher McCarthy, 33, from Roscrea, Co Tipperary, admitted striking fellow inmate Faisal Ellahi on the back of the head and then in the face in the recreation room of C Division at Midlands Prison on 21 August 2021. McCarthy, who has 145 previous convictions, appeared by videolink at Portlaoise District Court and represented himself. He claimed the assault was ordered by someone else and that he would have been assaulted if he did not carry it out. Judge Andrew Cody sentenced him to two months on 29 July 2022.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced29 Jul
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Christopher McCarthy admitted assaulting fellow inmate Faisal Ellahi at Midlands Prison on 21 August 2021.
  • The victim was on the phone when the defendant struck him on the back of the head, and was struck again in the face when he turned.
Where
The assault took place in the recreation room of C Division at Midlands Prison.
In court
McCarthy appeared from prison by videolink at Portlaoise District Court and represented himself.
Sentence
Judge Andrew Cody imposed a sentence of two months starting on the day of the hearing.
Other details
  • The defendant has 145 previous convictions.
  • McCarthy claimed the assault was ordered by someone else and that he would have been assaulted if he did not carry it out.
8 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatChristopher McCarthy admitted assaulting fellow inmate Faisal Ellahi at Midlands Prison on 21 August 2021. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatThe victim was on the phone when the defendant struck him on the back of the head. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatWhen the victim turned, he was struck again in the face. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereThe assault took place in the recreation room of C Division at Midlands Prison. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtMcCarthy appeared from prison by videolink at Portlaoise District Court. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceJudge Andrew Cody imposed a sentence of two months starting on the day of the hearing. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe defendant has 145 previous convictions. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherMcCarthy chose to represent himself in court. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 29 Jul2022
    Sentencedleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Inmate in Portlaoise claims assault ordered

    Reports the sentencing of Christopher McCarthy to two months for assault at Midlands Prison; McCarthy claimed the assault was ordered by someone else and that he would have been assaulted if he did not carry it out.

    convicted, Christopher McCarthy, 33, male, named, irish (judged from name)Christopher McCarthyvictim, Faisal Ellahi, male, non-irish (judged from name)Faisal Ellahi